Paul
Boyer Museum
of Animated Carvings
1205 M Street
Belleville, Kansas 66935
(785) 527-5884
Open May - September
Wednesday - Saturday 1- 5 PM
other days and times by appointment.
Kansas Grassroots folk art |
 |
Yes, she is doing what you think she is doing
Paul Boyer lost a leg when he was 35 years old. He needed
something to do, had always been mechanically creative, and started carving.
For many years, he has made fascinating mechanical creations with tiny
mechanisms to make them move. The mechanisms are as beautiful as the sculptures
and many of the sculptures are funny. I particularly like the ones with
hillbillies.
The Boyer Gallery was closed for two years, just
before I learned about Paul's art, and I had previously only seen one of
his creations at the Grassroots Art Center. But the art gallery reopened
in 2007 and I was delighted to finally see Paul Boyer's art in person.
You really have to watch the pieces move and listen to them to appreciate
Paul Boyer's work.
The main gallery has many pieces on display. Each case
has a button which you can push to operate the animated sculpture. The
smaller front gallery includes photos of some of Paul's earlier large creations
including vehicles which his children rode. There are paintings by Paul
Boyer and his daughter Candy. A very few works (including animated sculpture)
are available for sale.
Paul's daughters reopened the museum in May of 2007. They
love their father and his work and they are a hoot to talk with. Paul may
be at the Boyer Gallery when you visit. There is a place for him to rest
between groups visiting the gallery.
Admission to the Boyer Gallery is $5. Cheap!
This is Paul Boyer's version of their local sand company at work. This
is not an ambitious crew. In fact, they are
hardly working, but they do move little bits of sand and they have
job security. All the sand goes back into the
sand pile to be moved tomorrow. Video takes a few seconds to load with
highspeed connection,
or 3-5 minutes with dialup. play video
mechanical drums play video
Paul Boyer adjusting machine that has 8 separate tracks, with 2 tracks
operating at all times. Approximately
200 hours were spent making the machine.
Based on a true story. The door will open and the lady inside is not
happy about getting her roof fixed.
play video
Its Sunday afternoon. A grat time for a ride. This couple have been
married so long they are beginning to
look alike. (Especially their noses.) They are a team. He holds the
reins. She pokes the horse. Every third turn
of her head she laughs. She is having a very good time. play
video
This working calliope is all handcrafted - made mostly of solid cedar.
It still needs
improvement and fine tuning. Approximately 500 hours of work and 24
hours
of cuss words. play video
Some of Paul Boyer's doodles, saved from the trash.
Paul Boyer's daughters Ann & Candy greet visitors tot he Boyer
Museum
Boyer Museum
of Animated Carving website
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copyright 2007-2008 by Keith
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