Carman chainsaw artist’s reclaimed wood carvings open doors to new connections
Carman-based artist Marcel Lehmann is gaining recognition for his chainsaw sculptures created from reclaimed wood. His recent collaboration with the Swan Lake First Nation to carve eagle feathers has deepened his connection to Indigenous culture and sustainable art practices.
Why it matters
This story highlights the intersection of environmental sustainability, local art, and cross-cultural collaboration in rural communities.
What started as a recovery project has continued carving out new opportunities for Carman artist Marcel Lehmann.
Lehmann, who demonstrated his chainsaw carving skills at the Carman Country Fair this summer, says the response since then has been overwhelming. A live carving demonstration shared on PembinaValleyOnline also helped introduce more people to the reclaimed wood sculptures he creates from storm-damaged, dying or otherwise salvaged trees.
“I did a prototype of 24-inch-long eagle feathers and I delivered them two weeks ago and met with their council, spent a day up at Swan Lake and had a tour,” Lehmann said. “And they loved my take on the eagle feathers.”
The eagle feather carvings will eventually be mounted on large cedar poles.
Lehmann says the planned project will include 13 feathers, each measuring between 24 and 30 inches.
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