Sculptor to show locally
CONNELLSVILLE – When Wayne Arnold retired from Westinghouse in 1987 after 35 years service, he never imagined that he would begin a second career in the arts and become an award-winning sculptor. But that’s exactly what happened after he and his wife decided to travel extensively abroad and across the United States.
Arnold said he became enthralled with rocks shortly after retirement when he and his wife, Mafalda, decided to spend their winters in the Southwest.
“That’s where we became ‘rock hounds,'” said Arnold. “My wife and I visited a lot of art galleries there in the Southwest and we visited the mountains and the desert looking for the perfect rocks. Arnold additionally said that he and his wife always came home with a trunk full of rocks.
The 74-year-old Murrysville artist, who was born and raised in New Castle, said after seeing sculptures in the that part of the country he decided to give sculpting a try even though he had never had an art lesson.
“When we were traveling across all 50 states we saw a lot of stone art and I thought ‘I can do that,'” he said.
Arnold began making his own free form sculptures 12 or 13 years ago and his new art career evolved from there.
“I won first place at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa in Farmington a couple of years ago for a sculpture of a Manta Ray that looked like it was swimming,” he said. “Since that time I have won many awards for my work.”
Arnold’s work is now on display at the Gallery MD in Connellsville and owner Michael Edwards said he has already sold a couple of his pieces.
“His work in unique,” said Edwards.
“Mr. Arnold’s works will be shown for one year and we invite everyone in Connellsville and the surrounding area to come in and take a look at his pieces.”
Edwards said Arnold’s exhibit began on July 1 and has received a warm reception.
Edwards said Arnold’s pieces are a nice mix of carved Featherstone (which is like a lava rock) and other pieces of alabaster and jewelry. He additionally said there are 15 to 20 pieces in the collection and they are all for sale.
Arnold said most of his work is non representational and said that he uses almost any kind of rocks he can get his hands on for his sculptures.
“Most of the time I have to go out West to either collect or buy the rocks because no one in our area carries them,” he continued. “I really enjoy doing this because it’s a fun thing to do.”
Arnold said he set up a workshop outside his home since rock carving/sculpting is a “dirty” art form especially during the sanding stage.
Arnold said he began working in his craft by making commission pieces and moved on from there.
The jewelry aspect evolved from smaller rocks.
Anyone interested in seeing his sculptures or jewelry items can do so at the Gallery MD in Connellsville. All of the pieces in his collection are also for sale.
“A good many of our visitors are guests who have stayed at our other business, the Newmyer House Bed and Breakfast (circa 1893),” said Edwards.
The Newmyer House, for those who are not familiar with it, is a Queen Anne Style mansion furnished with antiques and located near churches and business on South Pittsburgh Street.
Edwards said the mansion was the former home of P.S. Newmyer, a prominent Connellsville attorney from the 1870s to 1913. He additionally said that the house was built in 1888 for the late Dr. Thomas B. Echard.
Edwards said Gallery MD, open weekends from noon until 5 p.m., is currently showing the works of six recent graduates of Connellsville Area High School.
Edwards said the gallery hosted an opening reception on June 27 for the students and he is planning to host a second reception on July 26 for Ray Forquer of Connellsville, who does historical watercolors; Michael Bartos of Smock, who creates Iron sculptures; and photographer John Fedak of Ohiopyle.
“We are featuring local and regional artists works that include stained glass windows and lamps, pottery, pen, ink, oil, pastel and watercolor paintings, wood turnings such as pens, pencils and letter openers, jewelry, iron sculptors, Connellsville Bicentennial Crocks, books on southwestern Pennsylvania, serving plates and platters made from recycled glass, locally made jams, jellies and syrup from Sand Hill Berry Farms and stone sculptures by Mr. Arnold,” said Edwards.