Bob Kroese Wood Carving Art Exhibit at Central College's Mills Gallery

Central College welcomes the work of Bob Kroese, a master wildfowl wood carving artist. Kroese's exhibit, titled "Labor of Love," is on display until Friday, Sept. 25, in the Mills Gallery.

The public is invited to a reception for the artist from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, in the gallery.
The Mills Gallery, Lubbers Center for the Visual Arts on Central's campus, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Brian Roberts, professor of art and 1992 Central graduate, curated the exhibit.

Kroese, CEO of Pella Regional Health Center, finds solace in the art of wood carving. Inspiration first struck him 30 years ago when he came across an article in "Ducks Limited" magazine about carving duck decoys. He soon found his soothing passion outside of a rather stressful career.
"Carving allows me to slow down," Kroese says. "It allows me to work with my hands, study a bird and enjoy the quiet concentration that comes with the process."
His background in biology gives him a strong understanding of anatomy, but the actual habit of closely observing birds has become an important part of his artistic process.
"When carving the birds, I am attempting to capture something about the bird species itself," Kroese explains. "I try to reflect the bird's character, movement and beauty that first caught my attention in nature."
Many of Kroese's carvings have been reproduced to benefit conservation organizations, raising more than $2 million. His passion has allowed him to give back to the wildlife and the natural world he has loved since childhood.
Kroese says the exhibition illustrates "my journey as an artist and inspiration from the natural world, allowing me to use talents to show appreciation for God's creation."