Yardbirds flock to ArtWalk

Rich Kolb and his father created the first “Yardbird” more than 20 years ago in Jamestown, Ky.
More than 20 years later, the metallic animal sculptures are a favorite at ArtWalk in downtown Boone.

Kolb spent most of his career making things out of metal, including farm gates and large satellite dishes. The family began discussing all the things you could make with scrap materials and, after experimenting with things around their own home, the first Yardbird was born.

People instantly loved them, Kolb said, so he began creating Yardbirds full-time, eventually moving the operation to Louisville, Ky. Kolb uses overrun, discontinued, rejected and scrap materials as much as possible, he said, including garden tools, car parts, farm implements, bicycle parts and mufflers.

“Yardbirds are a great way to contribute to the good of the environment,” he said. “They save rejected metal parts from ending up in a landfill, and they beautify homes and yards everywhere.”

Every six months, numerous new designs are added to the Yardbirds collection of sculptures, wine caddies, flowerpot holders, and dog and cat feeders.

For Kolb, creating Yardbirds turns work into fun, he said, adding, “Each sculpture is unique, whimsical and guaranteed to bring pleasure to its owner. A Yardbird is a great conversation piece.”

According to ArtWalk, “Many people have fun identifying the parts Kolb cleverly uses to create them, as well as marvel at the way a simple tilt of a head can give a sculpture so much personality.”

ArtWalk is located at 611 W. King St. (across from Mast General Store) in downtown Boone. For more information, call (828) 264-9998, e-mail (artwalkboone@yahoo.com) or visit http://www.artwalkboone.com.

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Gallery Times

Gallery Times is a weekly news feature of The Mountain Times, featuring short news items submitted by local galleries.

For more information or to make a submission, contact editor Frank Ruggiero at (frank@mountaintimes.com) or (828) 264-6397.