Chainsaw Art Auction Raises Fair Funds

If you were at the Franklin County fair this year you may have observed chainsaw artist Gary Keenan of Carving by Keenan of Des Moines in the act of carving one of twenty sculptures over the five days of the fair. The carving is an annual tradition at the fair, after which on the last day the carved pieces are auctioned off to the highest bidder to fund fair expenses.

Gary got started early Wednesday using three Stihl chainsaws to carve intricate and folksy figures out of maple, black cherry, ash, oak, pine, mulberry, alder, walnut and other woods.Gary would then finish the pieces using power and hand tools and paint as needed. 

Gary’s sculptures included a giant ear of corn, fish leaping for a butterfly, owls in a tree, squirrel, gnome, cardinals, bears, beaver, battle cross, boots and helmet, cowboy boots, Easter Island head, yellow fox, moose, eagle, hummingbird alight and smiling pig with ear of corn,.

Once completed on Sunday, Gary’s 20 pieces were lined up outside the museum for a thirty minute auction. The chainsaw carved art auction was a success, raising $19,350 in just 30 minutes. All 20 pieces were auctioned and even the wood scraps were sold.

The auction was conducted by Bryan Rowson of Aredale, with bid chasing done by Franklin County Fair Board President Jacob Ackerman and volunteer Scott Ites with the Livestock Committee. Dawn Collins Franklin County Fair Marketing and Publicity Manager clerked, with assistance from husband Chad.

The highest selling piece was a hummingbird gathering nectar for $1,800, followed by a Moose with welcome sign for $1,500, eagle for $1,350 and welcome bear for $1,250.

Bidders did not need to register and settlement was handled directly after the auction closed. All proceeds will go to the Franklin County Fair.