Fish stories: Public can view art in action at studio today

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Simeon Lisk (with fish) and Jesse Bogenrief, attempt to visualize the location of the fish and some of the sea grass in the actual aquarium frame. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Those are the words that artist Simeon Lisk used to describe what's going to happen at Bogenrief Studios Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.

And Lisk should know, it's his concept and design that the crew will be focused on when they invite the public to join them in the work area as they create another glass piece for the aquarium project that beginning in April will become a centerpiece at the Spencer Public Library.

The "performance" will involve between four to six members of the Bogenrief team coordinating efforts to create a fish for the project that will measure between 26- and 35-inches long when completed.

According to Jesse Bogenrief, who oversees daily operations at the Spencer studio, located at 21 West Fifth St., the project is in its final stages. Beginning with the conception process over a year ago, the final pieces are being created and are scheduled to be ready for delivery by the end of March.

"This is the very first time we've done anything like this," Bogenrief said, taking a break from the work Friday. "Honestly it's one of those things we had the skill level to do, we've done things in the past that have incorporated the same skill sets. This has just allowed us to do something new, and as we've gone along, we've learned how to do other things."

In addition to the individually crafted fish -- all of which have been crafted from glass, the artists have incorporated starfish, sea horses and other creatures of the deep, along with some sea grass for the bottom of 4 x 8 x 2 1/2 fish tank. When completed, the tank will sit on a 4 x 8 bookshelf, also created at Bogenrief, making the total project an 8 x 8 work of art.

"When people have been coming into the shop, they see the framework and some of the pieces coming together," said Bogenrief. "...I love doing the small stuff here, vases and items like that, but doing the big stuff and seeing the peoples' faces -- how this affects them, that's what I enjoy.

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) This miniature mock version of the final aquarium project, surrounding by the glass fish pieces, is visible at Bogenrief Studios at 21 W. Fifth Street. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"To see the people's reactions to this has been worth the project alone."

Bogenrief acknowledged that the project is very team intensive, but credited Lisk as the mind behind the vision. "He has really brought a lot to the studio since he's come here...We've been going more along the lines of forms, that's what the clientele is aiming at."

Prior to this project, Bogenrief had been recognized for its work in stained glass windows, blown glass projects and the chandeliers that the studio had been commissioned to create.

Among those projects, a 19-foot-tall sculptural chandelier that hangs in Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, and a large floral chandelier that was purchased for a private home in Hawaii. Just this year, Bogenriefs has shipped two chandelier creations to the former Soviet Union.

Bogenrief is confident that while the Spencer Public Library will always be remembered as the home of Dewey the cat, the new piece of art will serve as one more reason for local residents and tourists passing through to stop in.

A final public fish creation viewing will be held on Saturday, March 20.