Folk Art Visionaries, Art Environments, Self Made Worlds, and Interesting Neighbors

Folk Art Environments in the USA

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When visiting any art environment, please use common courtesy. If the location is private property, never enter the property without asking the owner's permission and, above all, respect the owner's privacy.

Jerry's Eyrie - Jerry McKinnon, 200 East Gholson Avenue, Holly Springs, Wallace ID, Tel: (662) 252-2515 or (662) 252-1918 - Roadtrip America: "Jerry McKinnon".

Illinois

When visiting any art environment, please use common courtesy. If the location is private property, never enter the property without asking the owner's permission and, above all, respect the owner's privacy.

African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archives ³ - Dr. Charles Smith, 126 S. Kendall, Aurora IL, Tel: (630) 375-0657 - Dr. Smith has relocated to 231 LeBoeuf St., New Orleans LA. He sold his site in Aurora IL to the Kohler Foundation. The sculpture may be moved to the Kohler Arts Center in Wisconsin. Together with Charles Gilliam, he is creating a new environment in Algiers Point, New Orleans, Louisiana. Smith, meanwhile, has also purchased a house in Hammond where he has plans for an installation that will be the next point north from New Orleans. NarrowLarry: "The African-American Heritage Museum And Black Veteran's Archives".

Bottle Castle - Rockome Gardens, Arcola IL - thom.org: "Bottle Castle".

Decorated Apartment - Joe "40,000" Murphy, Chicago IL - Interesting Ideas: "A World Of His Own".

The House of Crosses - Mitchell Szewczjyk, Chicago IL - "In an old hispanic quarter of Chicago, among the modest houses all huddled together, stands a small dwelling covered with crosses of all sizes and colours. Old Mitchell, a slender, unassuming fellow walks around and around the house. He closely scrutinizes the work he has just done, then strides off to see it from a distance. Every vantage point must be taken into consideration. With his strong Polish accent and muscular hands, Mitchell explains how important it is for each and every new cross to find its proper place in the overall composition. One wrongly placed item and everything is threatened. The names on the crosses may give some clues as to his motivation: John Wayne, Rudolph Valentino, Doris Day, Dorothy Lamour, Ida Lupino, Tarzan, Don Juan, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Kim Novack, Lancelot, St. James, Venus and Christ Royal. These markers are memorials to those great beings who have touched the life of Mitchell."

Jubilee Dairy - William Notzke (1891-?), Highway 150 near Brimfield, 15 miles west of Peoria, Jubilee IL - Susan A. Niles: "Jubilee Dairy".

Polksi Artiste - Chicago IL

Shell House - Sam Meyers, Liverpool IL - This house no longer exists.

Woodland Palace - Fred Francis (1856-1926), Route 34, 3 miles east of Kewanee IL, Tel: (309) 852-0511 - The unique home of Frederick Francis was built in 1890 out of brick, stone and native wood. The house features disappearing doors and windows, an air cooling system, radiant heat deflectors in the fireplace chimney and running water, all without the benefit of electricity.

Yard Show - Derrick Webster (1934-), Chicago IL - When Derek bought his home in 1974, he experienced an urge to decorate the house and yard. He used found wood and objects to make elaborate imaginative constructions. Besides the large forms, Webster also creates smaller animals.

Iowa

Folk Art Emporium - Dan Slaughter, Highway 18 about one mile west of McGregor, just before the White Springs Night Club, McGregor IA - Heart2Art2Heart: "Chainsaw Dan" and Courier Press: "McGregor Man Creates Colorful Characters".

Grotto of the Redemption - Father Paul M. Dobberstein (1872-1954), northwest of Fort Dodge between Highways 18 & 20, West Bend IA 50597, Tel: (515) 887-2371 - Home Page: "Grotto of the Redemption", roadsideamerica.com: "Grotto of the Redemption", NarrowLarry: "Grotto of the Redemption", and some large photos at DesMoinesRiver.Org: "Grotto of the Redemption". Craig S. Thom also has some nice large images at: "Grottos and other Concrete Places".

Jolly Ridge (aka Inspiration Point) - Paul Friedlein, off Hwy 52, Guttenberg IA

Kansas

Circle 3 Ranch - Ray O. Smith, Longford KS

Continental Sculpture Hall - Inez Marshall (1907-1984), Portis KS - Leonard H. Axe Library: Inez Marshall's Autobiograpy".

Deeble Rock Garden - Florence Deeble (1900-), 129 Fairview, Lucas KS - For tour info, contact Grassroots Art Center, 213 South Main Street, P.O. Box 304, Lucas, KS 67648, Tel: (785) 525-6118 - Grassroots Art Center: "Florence Deeble's Rock Garden" and LASR: "Florence Deeble's Rock Garden".

Garden of Eden & Cabin Home - S.P. Dinsmoor, Lucas KS

James Perucca Environment - James V. Perucca (1927-2001), Shawnee Mission KS - "A one and a quarter acre "yard environment" was constructed by James V. Perucca over a period of 30 years. The 74-year old artist's death in May, 2001 has put the future of his "yardscape" in jeopardy. In the late 1960s, on his parents' death, Perucca moved into the family's typically suburban American house with yard and garden, gave up his job in sales, and began work on his Constructions. Using found domestic and garden materials (children's toys, jewelry, kitchen and garden equipment, coffee jars and cookie tins), he wove an elaborate fence-like structure which he suspended along an elaborate connecting cord made from discarded fabrics and ribbons and garden hose which he stretched from inside the house, down the steps and into and around the garden. He hung and threaded religious statues, toys, stuffed animals, and customized domestic objects on the weave of the net, creating a 'glimmering, shimmering carnival of colour, texture and forms'. Perucca said his environment was recycled by the seasons, the birds nd squirrels. His themes included references to his Catholic faith in personal shrines and areas entitled "Garden of Jesus", "Bottle Garden", "Shrine to the Virgin Mary" and "Virgin Shrine". Occasional vandalism and fines by the City council bedevilled Perucca in life."

Prairie Monuments - Ed Root (1867-1959), Wilson KS - This environment no longer exists but individual pieces were salvaged.

Wilson House - Leroy Wilson, Luray KS

Yard Show - Myron "M.T." Liggett (1930-), about 35 miles southeast of Dodge City, in Mullinville KS - Liggett cuts, welds, and paints scrap metal. He has about two miles (three deep) of sculptures. These "totem poles," as he calls them, are frequently politically motivated and some are like windmills. He usually doesn't sell his art.

Kentucky

The House Of Many Crosses - Harrison Mayes (1898-1986), Middlesboro KY - David Ray Smith: "SmithDRay's Harrison Mayes Page".

Yard Art - Gus Ballard (1916-), the alley behind the 1000 block of Mulberry Street, Louisville KY - Ballard, a retiree from American-Standard (a plumbing supplies manufacturer), has decorated the back of his Schnitzelburg house and the shed behind it with an extraordinary variety of bright, mostly plastic, cast-off material: his collection of 2,000 beer caps, carpet samples, a blue rocking horse, hubcaps, scuba flippers, red plastic cups strung eight or so together, little colored plastic bowling pins, and more.

Louisiana

Bottle House Gift Shop - Alexandria LA

Charles Gilliam and Charles Smith Home Environments - Together with Charles Smith, Charles Gilliam is creating an environment that covers four houses at 231 LeBoeuf St. in Algiers Point, New Orleans, Louisiana. Gambit Weekly: The Outsiders: For Charles Smith and Charles Gillam, the winding path of folk art starts at Algiers Point. Individual pieces can be found for sale at Garde Rail Gallery: "Charles Gillam" and Primitive Kool Art: "Charles Gillam".

Fantastico - Prophet Royal Robertson, Baldwin LA

Kenny Hill Sculpture Environment Kenny Hill (born1950-), Chauvin LA - Narrow Larry: Kenny Hill Sculpture Garden and The UCM Museum: Kenny Hill Environment. This environment has recently been opened by The Kohler Foundation: Chauvin Sculpture Environment.

Leesville Mini Town - Leesville LA - The UCM Museum: Leesville Mini Town.

UCM Museum Abita Springs, Louisiana

Yard Show - David Butler, Patterson LA

Kelly's Art Car An incredible VW art car from New Orleans

Maine

Everett's Miniature Village - Everett Knowlton, Main Street, Stonington ME - "On the Western edge of main street there is an unusual miniature village. A newly married couple exit from the church, a farmer stores his hay in the barn, there are houses, a store, and the Sail Inn. The village stands as a tribute to its maker Everett Knowlton who created it for fun at the rate of one house a year. Some of the houses are occupied and some are empty. Peer through the windows to see which is which and what's going on behind the walls." (from: freetodo-america.net)

Shrines - James Fangbone, Solon ME

Stone Garden - Max Tibbetet, East Boothbay ME

Maryland

The Labyrinth at the Amaranthine Museum/Les Harris Studio - 3500 Clipper Road MD, Tel: 410-523-2574 or 410-366-0574 - This installation is the life work of artist Les Harris. The museum is rich with different textures, colors, and ideas. Harris' style could be described as maximalism, and the installation is like a tour of art history from pre history to modern times and beyond. Open to the public 1st Sunday of each month from 2-4pm.

Ocean Gallery World Center - Joseph Leonard Kro Art, 2nd Street and Boardwalk, Ocean City MD - Home Page: Ocean Gallery World Center.

Massachusetts

Nashional Dinoland - Cornell S. Nash, South Hadley MA - roadsideamerica.com: "Nashional Dino Land".

Paper House - Elis Stenman (?-1942), 52 Pigeon Hill Street, Pigeon Cove, Rockport MA, Tel: (978) 546-2629 - agilitynut: "Paper House", tramp-art.com: "Postcards Of The Paper House", rockportusa.com: "The Paper House" and Essex Heritage: "The Paper House".

Michigan

Bottle House - John Jacob Makinen, Sr. (1871-1942), Kaleva MI.

Dinosaur Gardens Prehistorical Zoo - Paul Domke, 11160 US 23 South, Ossineke MI, Tel: (989) 471-5477 - roadsideamerica.com: "Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo".

Heidelberg Project - Tyree Guyton (1955-), Detroit MI 48219, Tel: (313) 537-8037 - Home Page: "Heidelberg Project" and large images at: "Detroit Free Press".

Home Environment - George Zysk, Jackson Street, Grand Haven MI - For almost 20 years, George Zysk nearly covered the yellow and green house and his yard with hand-painted wooden placards expressing his viewpoints on local, state and federal politics. His sign work was often compared to that of Jesse Howard. In May of 2001, his son Craig removed all the signs from the house and yard. Holland Sentinel: "Signs of expression stripped from home".

Home Environment - Mae Mast, Webster Township MI - Every inch of the interior of Mae's home is covered with decoration, as are all the exterior surfaces of the house and outbuildings.

Italian-American Artistic and Historical Museum - Silvio Barile, 26417 Plymouth Road, Redford, MI (outside Detroit), (313) 937-2288 - American Folklore Society: "Silvio Barile Shows Off His Cement Sculptures".

Lund's Scenic Gardens - Leland MI

Minnesota

Ellsworth Rock Garden - Jack Ellsworth (1899–1974) - Lake Kabetogama, International Falls MN, only accessible by boat. For information or to receive a brochure about Ellsworth Rock Gardens contact: Mary Graves, Voyageurs National Park, 3131 Highway 53, International Falls MN 56649, 218-283-9821, Mary_Graves@nps.gov.

Joe Suilmann's Museum - Joe Suilman, Wabasha MN - Wurlington Brothers Press: "Joe Suilmann's Museum" and Minnesota Museum Of The Mississippi And Other Natural Wonders: "Joe Suilmann's Museum".

Mari Newman's Sculpture Garden - Mari Newman, Minneapolis MN - "Mari Newman's garden is described by local gallery owner J. Pierce as 'the house at the end of the rainbow, a little fantasy in the middle of a dull block in the city.' Conversely, some local neighbors protest that it looks like a continuous garage sale and worry about the threat to house prices. Not only has Mari Newman received abuse in the streets, her house and garden have been repeatedly vandalised. Items have to be bolted to the ground to prevent theft. Her garage door has been spray painted with the words 'die bitch' and a black cross has been painted on her front door." Mari's Sculpture Garden goes against zoning laws and it's possible it will be destroyed without community support.

The Molehill, The Towers and Gardens of Antiquities, and Louie's Rock Garden - Louis Wippich (1896-1973), Sauk Rapids MN - Wurlington Brothers Press: "The Molehill" and Minnesota Museum Of The Mississippi And Other Natural Wonders: "The Molehill".

Missouri

When visiting any art environment, please use common courtesy. If the location is private property, never enter the property without asking the owner's permission and, above all, respect the owner's privacy.

Black Madonna Shrine and Grottos - Brother Bronislaus Luszcz (1893-1960), St. Joseph Road, Eureka MO 63025, Tel: (314) 938-5361.

Christian Nativity Rock Museum ³ - Claude Melton, Kearney MO - "When Claude Melton became disgruntled with his church in 1938, he set out to build a grotto which would celebrate the life and times of Jesus - then and now. The grotto began when Melton dug out (by hand) the basement under his house and filled the area with his work. He added additions running on all sides of the building, and the basement is now a diorama. The grotto consists of two main elements, the diorama and the tableau. They depict scenes from either Biblical - The Garden of Eden, The Governor's Palace of Pontius Pilate, a 3-D map of the Holy Land - or more esoteric - Chris Columbus and the Pilgrims, Welcome to Kearney, the Betterway Supper Club and the Apollo Moon Landing. Sadly, the environment is deteriorating. Due to ill health, Melton abandoned his grotto four years ago, and the roof on the garage is collapsing. His daughter and several townsfolk have decided to save the grotto but the site is in dire straits." If you or someone you know can help, please contact The Kansas Grassroots Arts Association.

Concrete Sculpture Garden ² - Ralph Lanning (1916-), Springfield MO (near the highway) - "Spread across 8.5 acres of land, 87-year old Lanning has created a menagerie of animals and mythical creatures, including mermaids and two-headed dragons. The mythological is balanced with the religious: Christian symbolism is also important in his work. His sculptures include angels, a giant pair of praying hands, the crucifixion of Christ, together with a miniature church."

Sorehead Hill - Jesse Howard, Fulton MO

Mississippi

Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art - Roger & Jennifer Stolle, proprietors - 252 Delta Ave.
Clarksdale, MS 38614; ph: 662-624-5992

Earl's Art Shop - Earl Wayne Simmons

Holy Jeweled Home - Loy Allen Bowlin ("The Original Rhinestone Cowboy") (1909-1995) - Originally located in Mississippi, Loy Bowlin's "Rhinestone Cowboy" house and objects are now part of the permanent collection at John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. See "Home Envionment" on Wisconsin page.

Margaret's Grocery and Market - Margaret Rogers Dennis and her husband Reverend H. D. Dennis, Route 4, Box 219, Vicksburg MS - UCM Museum Rev. Dennis Home Page: "Rev. Dennis", Interesting Ideas: "Photos", NarrowLarry: "Margaret's Grocery And Market", Lucky Mojo: "Margaret's Grocery And Market", and The Daily Mississippian: "Living in the Deep South: Elderly preacher offers a different look at God".

Mary's Sign Garden - Mary T. (Tillman) Smith (1904-1995), Hazelhurst MS - Mary's Sign Garden is gone now but individual pieces can be found for sale - Raw Vision Magazine: "Her Name Is Someone: William Arnett explores the hardship endured by Mary T. Smith and the extent of her creations", ricco|maresca gallery: "Mary T. Smith", Modern Primitive: "Mary T. Smith", Anton Haardt Gallery (under Artists): "Mary T. Smith", and Gordon Gallery: "Mary T. Smith".

Montay's Mirror House A New folk art world near McComb, Mississippi (Montay aka Bernard has asked us to remove his photos off and info off the site.)

Palestinian Gardens - Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Jackson, Lucedale MS, 12 miles north of town, 6.5 miles east of Hwy 98. Miniature reproductions of Holy Land places such as Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Don and Cindy Bradley, proprietors. Admission: $2.50.

Shoe Show - Mrs. L.V. Hull, 123 Allen Street, Kosciusko MS, Tel: (601) 289-4746 - "Within the yard, shoes of every size and color seem to sprout from the ground. Old television sets have words of wisdom painted on the front and sides. Every inch of the yard and house is crammed with painted creations made from found objects. Mrs. Hull enjoys visitors, with a polite phone call first suggested."

Montana

Little Mansion - Tim Anderson, Seventh Street, Roundup MT - "A fantasyland of metal, rock and wood. He's erected pillars of car parts, posts of crankshafts and tractor tools, and portals from four-poster beds. Anderson's whirligigs stand on pilings that might have been salvaged from Atlantis. His metal birdhouse towers could be stately satires of the industrial age. Out in the yard are cars made of wood fragments and others made of iron castoffs."

The Mining Life - Dominic Job, Missoula MT - "There's the Winchester mine tunnel with a rail car emerging, filled with rock, and across the yard is the bigger Black Diamond mine. There is a jail, even an outhouse. Each display is like a short story."

Pathway Through the Bible - Adolph Land, Joliet MT - Wurlington Brothers Press: Pathway Through the Bible.

Stickman Garden - Lee and Dee Steen (1897-), Roundup MT - The twin brothers created a fantastic and elaborate environment from natural objects and discards. Lee made human and animal figures from broken pieces of trees. The brothers also kept tamed wild animals scattered throughout the yard art. Pieces of this environment have been archived at the Paris Gibson Square Art Center in Great Falls MT.

Nebraska

Carhenge - Jim Reinders, just north of Alliance NE

Coleman Garden - Harry L. Coleman, Paxton NE

Healing Machines - Emery Blagdon (1907-1986), North Platte NE - The 700 "machines" were removed from the barn in which they were stored and were shown in exhibits around the country. The majority of the shed pieces of the Emery Blagdon Healing Machines have now been acquired by Kohler Foundation. Kohler Foundation will conserve the machines and paintings and then gift them to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, allowing them to be exhibited to the public.

Museum of the Odd - Charles P. Johnson, 701 "Y" Street, Lincoln NE, Tel: (402) 476-6735 - "Lincolnite Orchestrates Museum Of Odds And Ends".

Nevada

Castillo del Sol - Dr. Lonnie Hammargren, Las Vegas NV - HGTV: "Castillo del Sol".

Goldfield Bottle House - Goldfield NV - Nevada (image): "Residents pose at the bottle house, Goldfield 1906".

House Of Lost Memories (Bottle House) - Pittman NV, destroyed.

Kelly's Bottle House - Rhyolite NV - agilitynut: "Kelly's Bottle House".

Ma Page's Bottle House - John and Maxine (Ma & Pa) Page, Limerick Canyon NV - Shelter Online: "Ma Page's Bottle House".

Peck's Bottle House - William F. Peck, Tonopah NV - Built in 1902; torn down in the early 1980s. agilitynut: "Peck’s Bottle House ".

Thunder Mountain Monument - Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder (Frank Van Zandt) (1921-1989), Imlay NV - Debra Jane's Home Page: "Thunder Mountain Monument", Roadtrip America: "Thunder Mountain Monument", and Nevada (slideshow): "Thunder Mountain Monument".

New Jersey

Fabulous Fifty Acres - John Val Jean "Lucky Dustin" Mahalchik, Mount Holly NJ

Fairy Garden - Joseph Laux (1904-1991), Deptford NJ - Joseph used rocks, shells and broken china embedded in concrete to build his English fortress with castles and moats, bridges, baskets, and more. The site is maintained by the family and may be seen in the yard that adjoins the family home on Route 41 in Deptford.

Jugg City USA - Josephine Stapleton, Route 40, Mays Landing NJ - Cafe Compendium: "Jugg City USA".

Kea's Ark - Kea Tawana, Newark NJ

Luna Parc - Ricky Boscarino, Sussex County, NJ - Home Page: "Luna Parc". Not open to the public.

Palace Depression - George Daynor (?-1964), Hwy 55 Landis Avenue exit, east on Landis, then right on South Mill Road, Vineland NJ - Weird NJ: The Palace Depression To Rise Again?, roadsideamerica.com: "Palace of Depression", agilitynut: "Palace Depression", and Raw Vision Magazine: "Holly Metz Traces The History Of A Lost Environment - And Looks To Its Future".

Statue of Liberty - George Arbuckel, Vineland NJ

Villa Capri - Angelo Nardone, 4 Franklin Avenue, Nutley NJ - As of June 2000, this environment was on the way to being demolished. Read all about it on the Nutley Volunteer Web Page: "Town Takes Steps to Find and Remove Valuable Artifacts (If Any) Before Villa Capri Property is Demolished".

Whirligig Garden - Matteo Radoslovich (1883-1972), West New York NJ - In 1947 Matteo began to create whirligigs out of wood, and later incorporated other materials. His entire yard was filled with boats, soldiers, dancing girls, and other characters. When he died the work was about to be thrown out but a folk art "picker" came along and the pieces were sold to collectors.

New Mexico

Bone Zone - Tammy Jean Lange, New Mexico State Road 14, between Madrid and Cerrillos on west side of road, NM - "There's a bone motorcycle and a bridge over a stream made of broken bottles. A bone dollhouse is decorated with a sign: Better Bonz and Gardens. The creation is by tattoo artist Tammy Jean Lange, whose work has appeared in galleries and Baltimore's Museum of Visionary Art." (from: dallasnews.com) - Steve Terrell (scroll down): "The Magical Turquoise Trail: The Bone Zone".

Loco Hill - W. Ray Pixley, Loco Hills NM

Shaffer Hotel & Rancho Bonito - Clem "Pop" Shaffer (1880-?), PO Box 475, Mountainair NM 87036, Tel: (505) 847-2888 or toll-free: (800) 293-2888 - SCA: "Shaffer Hotel"; Rancho Bonito: Hwy 55 South.

TinkerTown Museum - Ross & Carla Ward, 121 Sandia Crest Road, Sandia Park, (505) 281-5233, open April through October - Home Page: "TinkerTown".

New York

Easter Island on the Hudson - Ted Ludwiczak (1926-) - Stone carvings on the Hudson River & Home Environment - Folk Art Messenger: "Ted Ludwiczak's Easter Island on the Hudson".

Faust Art Park and Sculpture Garden - Lawrence Faust, Northville NY - "Tucked in the foothills of New York's Adirondack Mountains is a 150+ sculpture environment created by 56-year old self-taught artist Lawrence Faust. Visitors are invited to touch, play and explore the Faust Art Park sculptures whose subjects range from the whimsical, such as the asparagus see-saw and the giant kaleidoscope, to the spiritual and provoking."

Garden - Eddie Boros, NY

Garden Of Eden - Adam Purple, NYC NY - This garden has been destroyed and replaced by low income housing.

Journey's End / House Of Mirrors - Clarence Schmidt, Woodstock NY

Land Of Broken Dreams - R.D. (Bob) Smith, New York State Thruway at exit 38, just west of Syracuse, Liverpool NY - Smith has been working on his environment for over 40 years. He has an incredible array of found objects, root sculptures, figural and fantastic assemblages, and live birds. He surrounds the property with large fences made of willow logs, which take root in the wet soil, and hangs decorations on them. agilitynut: Bob Smith's Place.

Opus 40 - Harvey Fite (1903-1976), Saugerties NY - Home Page: Opus 40 and roadsideamerica.com: Opus 40.

Outdoor Environment - Alipio Mello (1898-1987), Napanoch NY - After retiring, Mello began to work on his water-powered circus of Ferris wheels and whirligigs made of wood, aluminum, styrofoam, and recycled materials. The environment worked from a system of rain gutters, hoses, and tributaries which he controlled from a nearby stream. After his death, the environment fell into disrepair. Nothing remains of it today.

Prospect Park Apartment - Joseph Endicott Furey (1906-1990), was at 447 Sixteenth Street, Prospect Park, Brooklyn NY but has been destroyed.

Terrilion Ranch - Veronica Terrilion (1908-), Highway 12 at Indian River, Lewis County, NY - Starting in 1953, Veronica filled her garden and a pond with life-sized figures of human and animal figures and religious scenes. There is also a log house, a garden of natural plants, and handmade sculpture. The pond has two stone islands occupied by cement figures.

Wing's Castle (Dupont Castle) - Millbrook, New York - (15 miles NE of Poughkeepsie).

North Carolina

Art Field - Arnold Freeman (1957-), about 9 miles past Biscoe, 1 1/2 miles down Oak Church Road, Bensalem Township NC - Freeman has welded hundreds of figures and displayed them in the field surrounding his home. They include animals, insects, cars and airplanes, people, and abstracts. He occasionally has a piece for sale.

Art World - James Harold Jennings (1930-1999), Pinnacle NC - "Jennings dropped out of school in the fifth grade and was educated at home by his mother, a schoolteacher. In early adulthood, he worked as a projectionist at a drive-in movie theater. After his mother died, he supported himself by collecting and recycling cans found along busy highways, supplemented by a small inheritance. In the early 1980s he began building a series of small interconnecting structures across the road from his house, topped by whirligigs and homemade Ferris wheels. After his work was shown in the "Southern Visionary Folk Artists" exhibition in 1985, Jennings began working full-time making brightly colored wooden tableaux and assemblages inspired, he said, by electroencephalography and metempsychosis." Jennings committed suicide in 1999. His once impressive environment is now gone. Individual pieces can be found for sale. Self-Taught Folk Art: "James Harold Jennings", Black Sheep Gallery: "James Harold Jennings", Creative Heart Gallery: "James Harold Jennings", and At Home Gallery: "James Harold Jennings". Many other links are available by Google search for James Harold Jennings.

Bible Stories - Annie Hooper (1897-1986), Buxton NC - Since Annie's husband was a fisherman, she was alone alot. To work her way out of a depression she filled her 9 room house and outbuildings with thousands of figures inspired by the Bible. The pieces are now in the collection of North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

Bottle Houses - Charlie Yelton (1909-1993), Forest City NC - "After fifty years working in the yarn-drawing room of a textile mill, Yelton broke his leg and was forced to retire. A short time later (in 1970) he began collecting bottles with which he built a farmhouse, a well, and several outbuildings. In the main farmhouse there are 11,987 bottles arranged by color to form patterns." agilitynut: "Charlie Yelton's Bottle Houses".

Butt's Dream House - James Butt (1894-1973), South Mills NC - "Unfortunately what was perhaps the most remarkable personal historical environment in North Carolina is now in ruins. Carpenter and brickmason Jim Butt built a multistory brick-and-cement tower known as Butt's Dream House and covered it with historical references and quotations ranging in scope from Cicero and Constantine to Miles Standish and Barry Goldwater, stamped in cement along with embedded mirrors, sea shells, and other found objects. One sign near the entrance included the words "Shangri La." Butt created a system for personalizing history that could completely surround him with historical and literary references, enclosing and protecting him in structures revealed to him in his dreams, while at the same time publicly proclaiming the connections to anyone who drove by."

Coast Guard Environment - Jimmy Courson (1944-), NC - "Jimmy Courson's fascination with the Coast Guard has led him to build a small fleet of Coast Guard vessels from scavenged scrap wood and sheet metal. He keeps his fleet berthed in an elaborate series of homemade docks and piers in his back yard. Each time he makes an improvement to one of the ships he carries it on his bicycle to test it in the canals near his home, because it is important to him that his vessels not only closely resemble real ships but that they be seaworthy as well. Clearly something more than a hobby, his obsessive interest in building the ships from found objects has been recognized by a local Coast Guard station, which has made him an honorary Guardsman."

Dinosaur Garden - Oliver Nestus Freeman (1900-1970), NC - "Freeman worked as a stone mason and handyman, and built several cement dinosaurs in a garden surrounding his house. When the dinosaurs were first completed they featured flashing red lights in their eye sockets and nostrils. Freeman laid stone and concrete pathways, built concrete arches and garden furniture, and added prehistoric birds of concrete to extended garden areas in his backyard before his death in the early 70s."

Divine Sounds - Yvonne Maria Leow (1935-), NC - "A native of Guyana, Leow immigrated to North Carolina, where she founded a religious shrine and supply shop she calls "Divine Sounds." She surrounded Divine Sounds with an environment that includes brilliantly painted cement statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary topped with Christmas tree lights and plastic ornaments."

Earth Museum (aka Occoneechee Trapper's Lodge) - Quinton (Q.J.) Stephenson, (1920-1997), Garysburg NC - "Stephenson worked as a dragline operator for a construction company for forty years before retiring in the mid-1970s. Soon after retiring he began building a small environment called the Occoneechee Trapper's Lodge in front of his house. He covered it with petrified wood, fossils, Civil War relics, and Indian artifacts he found in the woods while working his trap line. In 1981 he began making freestanding concrete plaques and sculptures." In Sight: Portraits Of Folk Artists By Chuck Rosenak: "Quinton "Q.J." Stephenson with his dinosaur at his "Earth Museum"" and America Oh Yes! Gallery: "Quinton "Q.J." Stephenson".

Gotno Farm - George Morris (1901-1988), Raleigh NC - "Morris was born in California, but moved to Raleigh to work as a plasterer during the construction of the Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel. Throughout his career he worked with cement and plaster. After he retired in 1967, he and his wife moved to a small plot of land on the outskirts of the city and unsuccessfully attempted to farm it. Morris eventually renamed the farm "Gotno Farm" and returned to cement work, building hundreds of concrete animals and fungi, which were freestanding or attached to trees on the property."

Haw River Animal Crossing - Clyde Jones, Bynum NC

History Environment - Rev. James Lowery (Dr. Chief Little Beaver) (1912-), NC - "Rev. James Lowery used art to fulfill his need for historical stability. He built a seven-acre personal history environment with his actual and possible ancestors. Pathways through the site take visitors past signs that outline the history of the Hattadare Indians, a "tribe" founded by Lowery for the grand purpose of reuniting all twenty-seven different eastern North Carolina tribes under one name. The philosophy of the Hattadares is "based on the belief that wisdom comes from nature," and derives from a vision of Henry Berry Lowery that appeared for three nights in a row on the blank screen of a switched-off television set. Lowery also founded an organization called the North Carolina Indian Adventure, Inc. to support his work in attempting to build his 4,000 seat All Nation Pyramid Temple Theatre."

Indian Hill - Almetta (Aunt Met) Brooks (1903-?), NC - "Brooks ran a small grocery store next to her husband's automobile repair garage on a mountain road near the South Carolina state line. Soon after the Second World War she began converting the adjacent junk car lot into a garden called Indian Hill, hauling quartz stone in a surplus army jeep. She built over a dozen cement animals and a giant stone basket in the garden before she began making freestanding polychromed indoor cement figures in the late 1950s. She covered jugs and bottles with translucent stones embedded in cement, and constructed stone mosaic side table and lampshades to decorate the interior of her store. Her first painting depicted Abraham Lincoln's cabin, rendered in stabilized mud. Later work includes more than a hundred paintings from memory, as well as jungle scenes, portraits, and foreign landscapes."

Kannapolis Castle - Henry James Sides (1919-), NC - "While serving in the army during the Second World War, Sides saw European castles and ruins. He married a Belgian woman after the war, and brought her back to North Carolina, where he went to work in the weave room of a textile mill. Taking advantage of a vast supply of inexpensive bricks, Sides began building a conventional home in 1953, then began transforming his home into a fortress after hearing a song called "Every Man's Home is His Castle" on the radio in 1957. Sides' house is intended to resemble Wilkie castele in Edinburgh. The inside woodwork is decorated with bas-relief carvings of women."

Lincoln Park Pig Chase and Yard Show - Vernon Burwell (1916-1990), Rocky Mount NC - After retiring in 1975 due to eye problems caused by diabetes, Burwell began making cement sculptures in his carport. He is known for his cement and painted sculptures of cats, tigers, people and political figures. Som are life-sized, others are smaller. Individual pieces can be found for sale.

Memory Wall Of Peace And Love - Mr. Imagination - Downtown business district of Winston-Salem, NC - "To create the Memory Wall of Peace and Love Mr. Imagination covered a pre-existing concrete wall - approximately 55 feet long by 4 feet high and wide - with stones, seashells, keys, buttons, bottlecaps, automobile hubcaps, shoes and hundreds of other ordinary objects embedded in a layer of cement, and further embellished it with mask-like reliefs, cement casts of his own hands and sculpted birds and human figures."

Metal Menagerie - R. Frank Holder (1931-), down Highway 421, west of Winston-Salem, Lewisville NC - Frank's yard is full of dinosaurs, a spouting whale, a life-sized mermaid, and larger than life daffodils. He welds his sculptures out of discarded metal. Only a few pieces are painted. Some individual pieces may be found for sale.

Murals - Charlie Swaim (1906-1988), Wilksboro NC - "Swaim ran his Appalachian Bee Farm, Oakwood Kennels, Swaim Extermination Service, and a number of functional moonshine stills from his small mountain farm. His lifelong interest in history, and particularly in the early Americas, was displayed in the more than twenty murals depicting pre-Columbian scenes that decorated the barns and outbuildings of his farm."

Peaceville Valley - John Lilley (1925-), NC - "Lilley surrounded his house with an environment called Peaceville Valley, built as a monument to his overcoming alcoholism. Next to the garage where he lived, he constructed a miniature town complete with a tiny Hardee's hamburger franchise, a truck stop, a used-car dealership and nearly twenty other buildings to represent everyday life. The entrance to the town was flanked by large plywood angels holding signs that said, "If Your Lost STOP Find Your Way," and "Some PEOPLE who EXPECT SALVATION at 11 0'clock DIE at 10:30." At the edge of the woods stood two other angels. One was painted with a glowing gown and held a Bible, and the other, masked and bat winged, clutched a bottle. A sign asked "Which ONE will it BE?" above an open coffin between them, labeled "Mr. and Mrs. YOU or ME." Lilley was reinstitutionalized and Peaceville Valley was destroyed."

Scarecrows - Marie Stacker (1910-), NC - "Stacker created rows of unusual scarecrows in a large garden behind her house, which served not only to frighten birds, but also to entertain her numerous grandchildren."

"Two Churchmen".

Shangri-La - Henry Warren (1883-1978) & Junius Pennix, Old Rt 86 between Hillsborough & Yanceyville, Prospect Hill, White Rock NC - "A quartz stone Watergate Hotel, a Health, Education, and Welfare Building, and a tax office stand amid twenty four other small structures. Built in the early 1970s by Warren with the help of his neighbor Junius Pennix, Shangri-La permitted these two elderly men to while away the hours and on some level to deal with a sense of outrage by simplifying, miniaturizing, and personalizing it." NarrowLarry: "Shangri-La" and roadsideamerica.com: "Shangri-La".

Ward's House - Benjamin O. Ward (1896-1970), NC - "Ward's house is inset with granite tablets engraved with quotes dealing with the nature of existence, both from his own writings and from the writings of others like Thomas Jefferson, Voltaire, and Shaw. Before he began construction, the house appeared to him in a vision following shock treatments for a prolonged depression triggered by his nineteen-year old wife's death. The granite millstones, blocks, and slabs from which he built his house afforded him an extremely solid physical foundation within which to weather the vicissitudes of life, although they couldn't prevent the recurring depressions that eventually led to his suicide."

Whirligigs - Willie Brooks (1908-), NC - "A farmer all his life, Brooks now gardens and maintains a number of whirligigs made from sheet metal and bicycle wheels. Many of them depict favorite hunting dogs and game birds. Examples of his work are scattered around his own property as well as those of his children. Brooks also whittles crosses that he places inside bottles, a traditional folk art form."

Windmill Park - Vollis Simpson (1919-), Junction of Crossroads 1103 and 1109, 7219 Oscar Loop, Lucama NC 27851 - "Simpson's first windmill was built to power a washing machine while he was stationed in Saipan in the Marianas Islands in the Second World War. After the war he designed and built heavy equipment for moving houses and opened a repair shop in a rural crossroads community in eastern North Carolina. Simpson continued to be interested in wind power and built several other large windmills, one of which powered a heating system in his house. He slowly began to retire from his house-moving operation in 1985 and adapted his workshop and heavy equipment to begin making a cluster of gigantic whirligigs and wind machines on one corner of his brother's farm. His largest pieces are nearly forty feet tall and weigh thousands of pounds. Covered with highway reflectors, they are at least as spectacular at night as during the day." NarrowLarry: "Vollis Simpson's Whirligigs", Thinking Fountain: "Meet Vollis Simpson", and The Folk Art Messenger: "Vollis Simpson: The Don Quixote Of East-Central North Carolina".

North Dakota

The Pettibone Prairie Pagoda - Henry Luehr (?-1995), Pettibone ND - roadsideamerica.com: "The Pettibone Pagoda".

Ohio

Chateau LaRoche (Loveland Castle) - Harry Andrews (?-1981), 12025 Shore Drive, Loveland OH 45140, (513) 683-4686 - This is the only medieval castle in the United States. It took Harry Andrews over 50 years to construct, using river limestone and milk carton bricks. Home Page: "Loveland Castle".

Hartman's Historical Rock Garden - H.G. Hartman, 1905 Russell Avenue at McCain, Springfield OH - Hartman filled his relatively small yard with statues, miniature stone castles, cathedrals, and other historic buildings. There are models of the White House and Independence Hall, a scene from the Oregon Trail, boxer Joe Lewis, the Dionne Quintuplets, religious scenes, and much more. Since his death, the property has been maintained by his youngest son, Ben. agilitynut: "Hartman's Rock Garden", NarrowLarry: "The Hartman Rock Garden" and Springfield Art Net: "H.G. Hartman's Rock Garden".

Odd Garden - James Bachelor (1914-), 761 Wayne Court, Cincinnati OH - Batchelor's garden is filled with vegetables planted in painted barrels, silk flowers, a stuffed goat chained to a bowling ball, a "life-sized, voodoo-doll-looking woman" that had to be moved to the backyard when men talking to her got angry when she wouldn't answer back. There's also a "Walk of Fame" for his late wife and nine children. People often bring him things to add and he enjoys people driving by to look.

The People Love People House Of God Museum - Rev. Albert Wagner (1924-), Cleveland OH - The New York Times: "Moses of East Cleveland, With Detours".

Sculpture - P.R. Miller, Lawrence Township OH

Sculpture Garden - Eddie Kuebeck, Wauseon OH

The Statues - Brice Baughman (1874-1954), near Jackson Township, Muskingun County, Zanesville OH - Baughman carved his first sandstone statue in 1898, that of President McKinley. His statues are still there and are currently being made more accessible.

The Temple of Tolerance - Jim Bowsher (1948-), 205 South Wood Street, Wapakoneta OH - NarrowLarry: "The Temple of Tolerance".

Zoratti's Garden - Silvio Peter Zoratti, Conneaut OH

Oklahoma

World's Largest Totem Pole & The Fiddle House - Ed Galloway (1880-1963), PO Box 774, 4 miles east on state hwy 28A, Foyil OK, Tel: (918) 287-4803, listed on the National Register of Historic Places - NarrowLarry: "The Totem Pole".

Oregon

Bear Park - William "Wibb" Ward (1911-1984), Sand Lake OR - Using a chain saw, Ward created a five acre environment populated by bears carved from pine logs. Many of the bears were used to illustrate his personal beliefs, especially that government should stay out of the way of private business. Visitors are welcome.

The Funny Farm - Gene Carsey Jr. and Mike Craven - 64990 Deschutes Market Rd., off Highway 97, north of Bend OR, (turn right at yellow blinking light) - a bowling ball garden, airplanes on towers, murals on the barn roof, two-headed statues of guys in tutus, a love pool, fainting goats, a dozen different kinds of ants, paintings, sculptures, a barn wall covered entirely by washing machine agitators, and more!

Old Time Museum - Rodney Rosebrook, Redmond OR - For over 30 years, Rodney collected old tools and salvaged metal objects. Eventually he produced hundreds of constructions made from garden gates, which enclosed careful arrangements of tools. Some tools hung on his barn and others made up a fence along his property. When items were sold to a museum and a gallery, he replaced them. After his death the environment couldn't be maintained. Some pieces can be seen in the banquet room of the New Richmond Hotel in Redmond.

Oregon Bottle Ranch - Henry & Helen Derksen, OR

Peterson's Rock Gardens - Rasmus Petersen (1883-1952), 7930 S.W. 77th Street, Redmond OR, Tel: (541) 382-5574 - Craig S. Thom: "Peterson Rock Garden Towers" and NarrowLarry: "The Peterson Rock Gardens".

Prehistoric Gardens - Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Nelson, Port Orford OR - roadsideamerica.com: "Prehistoric Gardens" and Mary Harrsch: "Prehistoric Gardens".

Whirligig Garden - Leo Decker (1934-), Kent OR - When Leo sustained a serious injury, he withdrew to a desolate part of eastern Oregon and began filling his yard with whirligigs made from found objects. He likes it when people stop by to admire his work and he's willing to sell some pieces.

Zig Zag Zoo/El Rancho Fincho - Loren Finch, Newport OR - Because his wife was ill, Loren stayed close to home and started decorating his environment with a cheerful mix of driftwood and creatures made of found objects. The site can be seen from the coastal highway going south through Newport. - Out West: "Zig Zag Zoo".

Pennsylvania

Roadside America - Lawrence Gieringer, Shartlesville PA - Home Page: "Roadside America" and roadsideamerica.com: "Roadside America".

South Carolina

The Button King - Dalton Stevens, Bishopville SC - "The Button King of Bishopville, South Carolina is a wonder to behold. Chronic insomnia causes him to stay awake for sometimes days. And what to do with all that time? The Button King, Dalton Stevens, has taken to decorate with buttons, thousands of them. There is his 10,000-button suit and even his car, which is completely covered in buttons. In his garage he proudly shows off his button-decorated hearse - and of course inside is his ready made button coffin. Just to be sure, he's placed inside it a bag of buttons and a flashlight in case he needs something to do in the afterlife." Webshots (image): "The Button King, Dalton Stevens".

Can City - "Jolly" Joshua Samuels, Walterboro SC - Craig S. Thom - "Farmer "Jolly" Joshua Samuels from the southeastern United States once claimed a brawny, tattooed angel drove through the sky in an 18-wheel tractor trailer. He said God wanted him to build the city of heaven on his farmland. He soon built a hotel, a YMCA, a restaurant, a school and a few houses. His materials: thousands of tin cans." (from: The Review, 1997).

Concrete City - L.C. Carson (1913-1998), Orangeburg SC - A visit to the Ave Maria Grotto in Alabama inspired Carson to create his Concrete City from common construction materials. He created his own versions of buildings from around the world including the Parthenon, the Sphinx, and the Colosseum. At completion, there were 33 waist-high structures. Carson can no longer care for his City and the entire site is being moved to the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia. Carolina Arts: "L.C. Carson".

Nationwide Outdoor Art Gallery (aka Wallice Plantation Gallery) - Sam Doyle (1906-1985), near Frogmore, St. Helena Island SC - Individual pieces can be found for sale - Raw Vision Magazine: "Sam Doyle: St. Helena Island's Native Son" and ricco|maresca gallery: "Sam Doyle". Many other links available by Google search for Sam Doyle.

Pearl's Topiary Garden - Pearl Fryar (1940-), 165 Broad Acres Road, Bishopville SC, (803) 484-5581, by appointment - Craig S. Thom (excellent photos, scroll down): "Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden".

South Dakota

Petrified Wood Park - Quammen, Ole S. (1938-?), Main Ave. & 6th St., five blocks north of U.S. 12, Lemmon SD - Dakota-Web.com: "Petrified Wood Park" and roadsideamerica.com: "Lemmon, Petrified Wood Park".

"Porter Sculpture Park", roadsideamerica.com: "Porter Sculpture Park", and middleburycampus.com: "is it art?".

Tennessee

Hidden Hollow - Arda Lee, 1901 Mount Pleasant Road, Cookeville TN 38506, Tel: 931-526-4038.

Homerland - Homer Green (1910-), Murfreesboro TN - yard decorated with carved and painted figures with individual pieces for sale - folkyart.com: "Homer Green".

Indian, Snake and Gourd Man - Dow Pugh, Monterey TN

Millennium Manor Castle - William Andrew and Fair Nicholson, 500 North Wright Road Alcoa TN 37701 - Home Page: "Millennium Manor Castle".

Wickham Stone Park - Enoch Tanner (E.T.) Wickham (1883-1970), Buckminster Hollow, south of Clarksville, near Palmyra TN - Interesting Ideas: "E.T. Wickham's remarkable statues". E.T. Wickham Stone Park

Yard Show - Hawkins Bolden (1914-), Memphis TN - Blindness couldn't stop Hawkins from creating art. He makes life-sized figures that decorate the house and yard. He also makes smaller sculptures that are like masks, with faces punched into objects like frying pans and metal signs and pots and pans. Individual pieces can be found for sale. Webb Gallery: "Hawkins Bolden" and Gordon Gallery: "Hawkins Bolden".

Texas

For an informative & enjoyable article on environments in Houston, see Handmade Personal Spaces in Houston by Susanne Theis.

Alvarado's Zoo - Eliseo Alvarado, TX

Beer Can House - John Milkovisch, Houston TX

Bottle House - Wimberly TX

Cathedral Of Junk (Yard Space 11) - Vince Hannemann, 4422 Lareina (btw. S. Congress & S. First, off St. Elmo), Austin TX - Call for an appointment at 441-6906. Donations are gladly accepted. The environment is available for filming for a fee. Vince's email is hannemann_3@hotmail.com. An image can be found at Visual Delights.

Concrete Zoo - Beatrice Ximinez, Floresville TX

The Eagle's Nest - Sylvester Williams, Houston TX.

Eye of the World - John N. Gavrelos, Beaumont TX

Fan Man's Third World - Bob Harper (1935-1995), Houston TX. This environment no longer exists.

The Flower Man's House - Cleveland Turner, Houston TX

"Friends" Sculpture Garden - Ida Mae Kingsbury, Pasadena TX

Grace Green House (aka Grace's Memento Museum) - Grace Bashara Green, Houston TX.

The Hyde Park Miniature Museum - D.D. Smalley (1885-1963) - Brazos Projects: D. D. Smalley's Hyde Park Miniature Museum.

The Martinez House - Timeteo Martinez, 2809 Engelke Street, Houston TX

OK Corral - Howard Porter, Houston TX

The Orange Show - Jeff McKissack, an art environment dedicated to the Orange in Houston, TX

Pigdom - Victoria Herberta, Houston TX

Totem Forest - Felix "Fox" Harris (1905-1984), Beaumont TX - The Art Museum Of Southeast Texas has a collection of the environmental works of Felix "Fox" Harris with some of the pieces always on display in the museum courtyard. The rest are in storage, awaiting funds to provide a protected installation. The Handbook Of Texas Online: Felix "Fox" Harris.

Whirligigs - Manuel Castaneda, (1924-), Kingsville TX - Since his retirement about fifteen years ago, Manuel has made over 40 whirligigs and displays them outside his home.

Wimberly Bottle House - Wimberly TX - agilitynut: "Wimberly Bottle House".

Yard Show - Richard Gilliam, San Antonio TX

Yard Show - Alva Hope (1906-), Stephenville TX - When the wind blows around Alva's yard, the place becomes an amazing phenomenon as row after row of plastic babies and cows and arrows and buckets spin in every direction. The bright paintings on the buckets include self-portraits and occasional cryptic messages to people in Alva's life, both living and dead.

Utah

Deer Crossing - Carl and Elaine Norton, Wellington UT

Gilgal Sculpture Garden - Thomas B. Child (1888-1963), 749 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City UT. Open on Sundays during daylight hours, appointments for special viewings can be made with Grant Fetzer, 452 S. 800 East or call 359-8813. Those interested in helping preserve Gilgal may contact Melody Moore at Friends of Gilgal, 187 D St., No. 5, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 or by phone at 375-3527. "Mormon News' Coverage of the Gilgal Garden", photos: "Gilgal" and pamphlet: "Gilgal Pamphlet".

Hole "N" The Rock - Albert L. & Gladys Christensen (?-1957) & (?-1974), 11037 South Highway 191, Moab, UT 84532, Tel: (435) 686-2250 - moab-utah.com: "World-Famous Hole N" The Rock" and Out West: "See a badly stuffed donkey at Hole 'N the Rock".

Vermont

Carved & Painted Trees - Armand "Frenchie" Gaultier (1923-), Vermont. Raw Vision: The Tree Circus.

Virginia

Doc Hope's Bottle House - Doc Hope, Hillsville VA - agilitynut: "Doc Hope's Bottle House".

Faith Mission - Anderson Johnson, Rev. (1915-1988), Newport News VA - Ginger Young Gallery: "Anderson Johnson", Black Sheep Gallery: "Anderson Johnson", Visionary Art: "Anderson Johnson", and America Oh Yes! Gallery: "Rev. Anderson Johnson".

Fleet Of Ships - "Captain" Walter Flax, Yorktown VA

Garden of Prehistory - Banner Blevins, McCalls Gap VA

Polka Dot House - "Cedar Creek" Charlie Fields, Lebanon VA

Windmills And Whirligigs - Dwight Joseph Bell, Staunton VA

Yard Show - Robert Howell (1934-), Midlothian, Powhatan County VA - Southern Spirit: "Robert Howell".

Washington D.C.

Beer And Soda Can House - Richard Van Os Keuls, Silver Spring, Washington D.C., Tel: (202) 726-8292 (call for tours) - "...after eight years of collecting and personally flattening 15,000 or so cans of beer, soda and juices of all flavors, his modest '50s ranch house in Silver Spring is partially clad in crushed-can shingles that lend a colorful fish-scale effect." Washington Post: Drinks on the House: When the Root Beer Is Gone, the Can Lives On.

Jamaica - Donald G. Morgan, 1201 Kalmia Road N.W., Washington D.C., Tel: (202) 726-8292 (call for tours) - Over the past 10 years, Morgan has created a 56-foot long, 14-foot wide model of the island of Jamaica in his front yard in northwest Washington D.C.

The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millenium General Assembly - James Hampton (1909-1964), Washington D.C. - Fred Weaver.com: Throne Of The Third Heaven Of The Nations Millenium General Assembly.

Washington

Dick And Jane's Spot - Dick Elliott and Jane Orleman, 101 N Pearl St, Ellensburg WA 98926-3324 - Home Page: "Dick And Jane's Spot" and Home And Gardens: "Dick And Jane's Spot".

The Eagle Mount Motel - Anna Wayne Wolfer, Port Townsend WA, (deserted).

Gehrke Windmill Garden (aka Garden of the Wind) ² - Emil & Veva Gehrke (1884-1979) & (1902-1980), along Hwy 155 a mile southwest of Coulee Dam, Electric City WA - Scott's Snap Pics: "Gehrke Windmill Garden".

Grotto of Logging Gear - John McMeekin, Aberdeen WA.

The Moorage (aka Junk Castle) - Vic & Bobbie Moore, Pullman, Whitman County, WA.

Plywood Menagerie - Donald Davis (1930-), Carnation WA - Donald's yard is filled with ducks, chickens, dinosaurs, rabbits, and pigs. When he ran out of room in the yard, he began to add wind chimes made from found objects. The environment is surrounded by a bottle-decorated fence.

The Rainbow House (aka Ace's Wild West) - Lloyd "Ace" & Claire Parsons, Vancouver WA - Home Page: "Rainbow House". This house was demolished August 11, 1999.

Richart's Ruins (aka The Art Yard)

The Walker Rock Garden - Milton (1905-1984) & Florence Walker, Seattle WA 98126 - The preservation group, "The Friends Of the Walker Rock Garden" has disbanded following the wishes of Milton and Florences's offspring. The future of the garden is uncertain.

Wisconsin

Decorated Garage - Fred G. Zimmerman, New Glarus WI

Dickeyville Grotto (aka Holy Ghost Park) - Father Mathias H. Wernerus, Dickeyville WI

The Forevertron - Dr. Evermor (Tom Every) (1938-), Hwy 12 just South of Baraboo & across the street from the Badger Ammunitions Plant, Sauk County WI, Tel: (608) 643-8017 - Home Page: "Historical Artistic Metal Sculpture Park", Raw Vision Magazine: "Power On! The Fantastic Environment of Dr. Evermor", NarrowLarry: "The Forevertron", roadsideamerica.com: "The Forevertron", Folk Art Messenger: "Dr. Evermor's Forevertron", and Wisconsin News article: "Sculptor wants to turn old ammo plant into work of art".

Fountain City Rock Garden - Fountain City WI

Fox Point Art Yard - Mary Nohl, Fox Point, Milwaukee WI

Garden and Yard Show - Paul Hefti - interestingideas.com (photos): "Paul Hefti".

Grandview - Nick Engelbert (1881-1962) - Wisconsin State Highway 39, 1/2 mile west of the Village of Hollandale in Iowa County, roughly 30 miles southwest of Madison & 11 miles east of Mineral Point WI, Tel: (608) 967-2151 - NarrowLarry: "Grandview", the Michael Kohler Foundation: "Grandview", and Wisconsin Traveller: "A milkman's masterpieces".

Holy Jeweled Home - Loy Allen Bowlin ("The Original Rhinestone Cowboy") (1909-1995) - Originally located in Mississippi, Loy Bowlin's "Rhinestone Cowboy" house and objects are now part of the permanent collection at John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin - Raw Vision: Hey Rhinestone Cowboy!, In Sight: Portraits Of Folk Artists By Chuck Rosenak: "Photo of Loy A. Bowlin outside his home", and Mississippi Folklife: "Loy Allen Bowlin, "The Original Rhinestone Cowboy, 1909-1995" (scroll down). Individual pieces can be found for sale at the Robert Cargo Folk Art Gallery.

Jurustic Park - Clyde & Nancy Winia, Marshfield WI - Home Page: "Jurustic Park" and Portal Wisconsin: "Jurustic Park".

Little Program - Frank Oebser (1900-1990), Menomonie WI - When he retired in 1973, Frank started building yard art around his home and yard. Most of the pieces were mechanized. He also had an extensive collection of antique farm machinery in his barn, along with life-sized figures stuffed with hay. This environment was dismantled in 1989.

Mecikalski Stovewood Building - John Mecikalski, Pelican Lake WI - The Michael Kohler Foundation: "Mecikalski Stovewood Building".

Miniature Concrete Village - Bob Coffin, Lake Superior WI

Mollie Jenson's Zoo And Museum - Mollie Jenson, River Falls WI - Wurlington Brothers Press: "Mollie Jenson's Zoo And Museum".

The Painted Forest - Ernst Hupeden (?-1911), Valton, Sauk County, WI, Tel: (608) 983-2352 - This environment has been restored by The Kohler Foundation and is maintained by the Historical Society of Upper Baraboo County. The Michael Kohler Foundation: "The Painted Forest" and Sheryl Osborn's Page: "The Painted Forest".

The Prairie Moon Museum And Sculpture Garden - Herman Rusch, Cochrane WI

Revival Center And Shoe Repair Shop & World Revival & Interprice Center - Prophet William J. Blackmon (1921-), Milwaukee WI - Individual pieces can be found for sale - Haggerty Museum Of Art: "Signs Of Inspiration: The Art of Prophet William J. Blackmon".

Rockside - Wilbur Best, Viroqua WI

Rudolph Grotto Gardens and Wonder Cave - Father Philip J. Wagner (1882-1959) & Edmund Rybicki, 6957 Grotto Ave, Rudolph WI 54475, Tel: (715) 435-3120 - The Wonder Cave was built with a maze of walkways and a series of biblically inspired scenes made of sheets of tin with proverbs spelled out in pin-holes, backlit by colored lights. The grotto is on the parish grounds of St. Philip the Apostle Church.

The Rudy Rotter Museum Of Art - Rudy Rotter (1913-2001), 701 Buffalo Street, Manitowoc WI 54220, Tel: (920) 682-6671 - Nearly 20,000 objects by this self-taught artist are displayed in the museum, including paintings, sculptures, and assemblage from found objects. Home Page: "Rudy Rotter's Museum Of Sculpture".

Sid's Sculpture Yard - Sid Boyum (1914-1991), Madison WI - Home Page: "Sculpture by Sid Boyum".

Tony's Fan Fair - Tony Flatoff, Stevens Point WI

Urban Art Environment - Mark Adams, 2466 S. Graham St., Milwaukee WI, Tel: (305) 431-7636 - Home Page: "Help Save Mark's Urban Art Environment". 04/01/04: From an email from Mark Adams - "the well known art envirnment of mark adams were all the inner city children played, spent the summers. and were mentored in all aspects of life, is gone... the art envirnment has been moved to pine mt GA, with some of the larger peaces in a perminint instalation in algoma wisconsin. it is the largest gallery north of chicago."

Wayhouse of Light - Mona Boulware Webb, Madison WI - Mona Boulware Webb is a fascinating African-American "outsider" or "visionary" artist and mystic. For the past 30 years, she and her "extended family" of artists and friends have transformed her house in Madison, Wisconsin into a total art environment.

Wegner Grotto (aka The Glass Church/Peace Monument) - Paul & Matilda Wegner, outside Cataract, about eight miles north of Sparta, along State Highway 71, Monroe County, WI - Interesting Ideas: "Paul and Matilda Wegner Grotto", The Michael Kohler Foundation: "Wegner Grotto", agilitynut: Wegner Grotto, and Susan A. Niles: "Grottos of the American Midwest: Wegner Grotto".

Wisconsin Concrete Park - Fred Smith (1886-1976), State Highway 13, Phillips WI, just south of Park Falls in Price County, Tel: (800) 269-4505 - Raw Vision Magazine: "Wisconsin Concrete Park", Interesting Ideas: "Fred Smith's Wisconsin Concrete Park", NarrowLarry: "Wisconsin Concrete Park", The Michael Kohler Foundation: "Wisconsin Concrete Park", and roadsideamerica.com: "Fred Smith's Concrete Park". Preservation of this site is handled by The Friends Of Fred Smith, Price County Forestry Dept., 104 South Eyder Street, Phillips WI 54555, (715) 339-6371 or (800) 269-4505. This is a non-profit organization. Tax deductable memberships are available, with a newsletter being sent to members. Call or write for an application.

Woodland Sculpture Garden - James Tellen (1880-1957), Black River, just south of Sheboygan WI, - this site encompasses a garden and buildings filled with concrete sculptures.

Wyoming

Sarahville (aka Dinosaur Acres) - Cheyenne WY

LINKS to other FOLK ART information

Folk Art Plus Santa Fe, New Mexico and beyond
Floria Yancey's Folk Art Gallery Brooklyn, Georgia
The Mayor's Office Pittsview, Alabama
Artisans Mentone, Alabama
Robert Cargo Folk Art Gallery Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery Orlando, Florida
Modern Primitive Gallery Atlanta, Georgia
Gilley's Gallery Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The Attic Gallery Vicksburg, Mississippi
American Folk Art & Antiques Asheville, North Carolina
Yard Dog Folk Art Austin, Texas
San Angel Folk Art San Antonio, Texas
Grassroots Art Center Lucas, Kansas
Anton Haardt Gallery New Orleans, Louisiana