Our oldest records of civilization come to us through stone carving. This art has been with us throughout our history, adapting and adjusting to fit with different times and cultures, while retaining its historic foundations. In this time of virtual reality and A.I. generated art, it is especially meaningful and reassuring to see stone carvers combine this tradition with contemporary design.

Walter S. Arnold began sculpting in stone at the age of 12. At 20, he began his apprenticeship in the marble studios of Pietrasanta, in Tuscany, Italy. After working on the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C he returned to Chicago to establish his studio in 1985. Fluent in styles ranging from Classical and Gothic to Arts and Crafts, he is especially known for his gargoyles. He served as president of Stone Carvers Guild for twelve years. Mr. Arnold was one of the first sculptors with a personal website, stonecarver. com, launched in 1994. In 2010 he and his wife established American Friends of Italian Monumental Sculpture (AFIMS.ORG), a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the magnificent works of art in the collection of Genoa, Italy’s historic Staglieno cemetery. To date, AFIMS has completed sixteen monument restorations. In 2019 the City of Genoa awarded Mr. Arnold their highest honor, the Grifo d’Oro for his work to save these treasures.

Theodore Strandt’s great grandfather was a stone cutter, from a line of Danish stone cutters dating back to the late 1700’s. Like a sea turtle who is drawn to the beach where he was born, Ted found himself drawn to the trade. He works in a monument shop carving gravestones. A visit to his ancestral home in Denmark, the home of generations of stone cutters, led to a transformational moment. Running his hand over ancient Rune Stones that were carved as a tribute to the Viking King Gorm the Old, and his wife Thyra, he could feel the Scandinavian mythology flow through the stone. It planted the seed for his work, the Seven Other Dwarfs. Viking lore features many dwarfs. They were tasked with making specialty tools and weapons for the Norse Gods, including Thor’s hammer and Odin’s spear. Ted hopes that by viewing his work you will gain a glimpse into his artistic inspiration.