American Whitewater Ohiopyle
Over-The-Falls Festival: Trophies (Cups)
Made by Chuck
Stump
A teacher, potter and paddler from Frostburg, Md., Chuck Stump
has been making highfire ceramics for 30 years. His studio in Frostburg has 3
large kilns (60-90 cu.ft.) for salt-glazed, wood fired and gas-fired stoneware.
He produces wheel-thrown and hand-built functional and sculptural ware at his
Savage Mountain Pottery.
A few summers ago, some of the race organizers
got together for dinner and brought their kids along. Chuck brought out a block
of clay and asked the kids and others to help make some kayak "stuff" from the
clay. They made little kayakers, paddles, helmets, waterfalls and rocks, which
were later used to embellish the trophies. Chuck said "It was fun working with
the kids and everyone. I thought it would be a good way to get them involved in
what we do for fun. And the trophies came out looking great." These are truly
works of art.
Mykl Messer, a woodworker, paddle-maker and paddler from
Albright, WV, has made wooden boxes to protect the trophies when they are being
moved. Like the trophies, these fine wooden boxes are a true work of art. See
Mykl's Web site for his work: www.myklmesserdesigns.com/
We
are truly lucky to have these two artists' work on this project and event. We
would like to thank them.
The trophies (Cups) are passed from winner
to winner each year.
Left: Race Trophy (The Hallas Cup); Right: Freestyle Trophy (The
Snyder Cup)
Photo: Crede Calhoun, Vision Quest
Studios