News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Lee Kufchak and his World War I-era Fokker.
Few aircraft have the old-school charm and nostalgia of World War I-era planes. Two exquisite examples of the era are suspended in flight at Black Butte Ranch, courtesy of model airplane crafter Lee Kufchak.
His Fokker Eindecker E11 and Curtiss Jenny JN4 are a featured part of the gallery show at the Lodge Gallery, which is running through August as part of the run-up to the annual Art at the Ranch celebration September 2-3, featuring paintings, sculptures, metal and pottery items, jewelry, wood crafts, books, fiber arts, candles, toys and other exhibits.
Lee and his wife, Marti, have been involved with Art at the Ranch for many years, serving as key organizers for several of those years.
Lee's particular art form has been part of his life since he was a kid building model airplanes out of 10-cent kits. With a background in engineering and mathematics, Kufchak's work - which takes between 1,000 and 1,200 hours and sometimes more - results in museum scale models of actual aircraft that are accurate down to the smallest detail.
"Every part is where it would be on the full-size," he said. "All the markings are where they would be on the full-size."
And they fly, under radio control. As a member of the Cascade Modelers, Kufchak's creations regularly take to the skies over an airfield near the Highway 20 viewpoint east of Sisters.
Kufchak builds aircraft of the first half of the 20th century, and often has multiple projects in progress at any given time.
"I have a B-17 (World War II American bomber) that's been under construction for about two years now. I build World War I and World War II," he said. "I don't build anything with turbines. I'm a propeller guy."
Over the years, Kufchak has built hundreds, if not thousands, of models, each with that exacting attention to historical and mechanical detail.
While his work is a triumph of engineering, there's no question that it belongs hovering above an art show.
"It is an art, and I appreciate the art of it," said Kufchak.
Viewers are welcome to see the art on the walls - and in the air - at the Lodge, and come out for the festivities that begin at the Lodge on Friday, September 2 with a wine-and-appetizer reception between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., with live music by Chris Patrick and Selah Broderick.
During this time guests can meet the artists and bid on their works in a silent auction. During the reception the founding Art Guild members will be honored.
On Saturday, September 3, Art at the Ranch will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live music 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by singer/songwriter duo Rindy and Marv Ross.
Another new feature of the Art Fair is the Plein Air Paint Out at the Ranch on Saturday, September 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held near the lake. A People's Choice Award will be given and the paintings will be for sale from 1 to 5 p.m. A children's painting workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. will be taught by Rachel Lovegren. Children will have an opportunity to hang their art for public
display.
The most notable of the accomplishments of the festival is the awarding of scholarships to students from Sisters High School who have plans for furthering their education in the visual arts. The scholarship program since its conception has awarded close to $50,000 in scholarships. One of the recipients of a scholarship award in 2010, Rachel Lovegren, is now on the full-time staff at the new Lakeside Activity Center at Black Butte Ranch.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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