An Out-of-This-World Bench Has Landed for Good at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch
Earlier this summer, a green humanoid creature with jet-black eyes landed at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch. Now it is here to stay.
The strange specimen came not from a galaxy far, far, far away but straight from the imagination of Chris Rust, a local chainsaw artist and firefighter. Placed outside the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch, the bench features a life-size carving of an alien holding a bushy-tailed rabbit. Another rabbit scurries at the bench’s feet.
Rust says the bench was initially created for a chainsaw carving competition in Metamora, Indiana. Developed over the span of two days, his creation became available for purchase. While most carvers chose more traditional subjects like bears or eagles, Rust wanted to stand out.
“I had a little extra wood there so I wanted to make a cute, whimsical piece instead of one that was way, way far out there,” Rust says of including the rabbits in the carving. “I wanted to make it more appealing to kids and families.”
The artwork was later purchased by Nicholas Summe, a Covington-based lawyer. Self-described as an amateur carpenter, Summe says he has long been a fan of chainsaw art.
Before receiving the bench, it was going to briefly be displayed outside of the library. Summe was visiting the branch with his infant son when he noticed other children looking at the bench.
“I knew that kids would walk by it every day and think it was really cool and be excited,” Summe says. “It would make them think and it could be part of a little library adventure because more kids need to get in the library. I decided to buy it and donate it. Simple as that.”
Fort Thomas residents may recognize the friendly extraterrestrial from their counterparts located throughout Highland Hills Park’s trails. Along with eight other woodland figures, Rust carved three aliens that can be found while exploring the park.
Summe recalls growing up in Fort Thomas on Ridgeway Avenue before the trails were mapped out. He and his friends used to cut through the woods to get across town and visit one another’s houses.
“I spent countless hours back in those woods as a child, so it was really cool to walk those trails and see how they were redone, find all the little carvings everywhere,” Summe says. “He’s got squirrels and this and that. Then we found the aliens. I was like, ‘Man, this is really cool.'”
The trail carvings are, in part, what spurred Rust’s business. When planning the trails, there was a section of ash trees infested by emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle species. When they took the trees down, Rust used the scraps to make small carvings. The first few were minimal, but his work became more detailed as he continued. Eventually, his art grew into a business.
How does he find wood for his pieces? Rust coordinates with a local tree company to carve his work out of materials that are readily available.
“It creates a positive thing out of something that’s negative, that would go to waste,” Rust says. “I’m not going out there and specifically looking at a tree to cut down. I don’t do that. I won’t take a tree just to carve.”
Aside from carving, Rust has worked at the Fort Thomas Fire Department for 22 years. He says that, while juggling the two jobs is one of the biggest challenges he faces, carving helps ease the stress of being a fireman. He’s also a father of three. One of his children, Chay, works at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch. Chay often tells his dad stories of patrons sitting with the alien, complimenting it or snapping photos.
“It’s fun because I think it’s good for kids. They go to the library to read stories and everything else. But [the carving] expands the imagination,” Rust says. “And it’s actually quite a comfortable bench to sit on so they can even read on it.”
He also notes that patrons can walk the trails and read a book out there, too. From Highland Hills Park to the library, benevolent slime-colored aliens—whether flashing a peace sign, holding cute critters or curled up on a log—can now be found throughout Fort Thomas, cementing their legacy as a small-town wonder.
To learn more about Rust’s work or to commission a piece, visit www.crcarving.com.
More News
Follow Us!
Tax-Aide’s IRS-certified volunteers will be returning to the Newport Branch beginning Tuesday, Feb. 7 to offer free tax preparation services. Tax-Aide will be available between 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays, Feb. 7 – April 11. Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. ... See MoreSee Less
Free Tax Preparation Services at the Library
www.cc-pl.org
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will offer free tax preparation services at the Newport Branch, especially for those age 50 and older. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Tax-Aide’s IRS-certified volunteers will be a...Comment on Facebook
It's almost time to Level Up with the Library! Our first teen/tween program in the Level Up with the Library series is this Friday, Feb. 3. The Newport Branch will be hosting a K-Pop Party at 5 pm. Find out more information at loom.ly/LGiyRdc. #levelupwithccpl ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Hey Cincinnati Bengals, thank you for a great season! Cam will be busy training in the off season in case you need a friendly library lion to join the roster. #WhoDey ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
We've teamed up with Dr. Melissa Gardner at Campbell County Middle School for the #ccmsreads book club, which meets monthly with local students. We're especially grateful to the Alexandria, KY Walmart (store 1961) for gifting us with the Walmart Community Grant. The grant provided funds for 10 copies of each book club title. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
In honor of International Creativity Month, we're giving away a set of colored pencils and two coloring books. Comment with your favorite artist (from any medium) to be entered to win. The winner will be contacted on Monday, Jan. 30. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Vincent Van Gogh, specifically his sunflowers 🙂
Charley Harper
Van Gogh is my favorite
Yayoi Kusama
Georgia O’Keefe
Georgia O’Keefe
Van Gogh or maybe Andy Warhol
Edward Hopper
Kadir Nelson and Gordon Parks
Vincent Van Gogh.
Van Gogh
Van Gogh
Van gogh
Monet
Dale Chihuly!
Frida Kahlo
Monet!
Monet
Dale Chihuly or Edgar Degas
ansel adams
Mary Cassatt
Monet
View more comments
February is Library Lover's Month and there's a lot to love at the library this February. Find out all about upcoming programs in February's "Connections" newsletter. ... See MoreSee Less
February "Connections" Newsletter
www.cc-pl.org
There’s a lot to love this February at the library! Read up on the latest library news and upcoming programs in the February edition of our “Connections” newsletter. View “Connections” Newsl...Comment on Facebook