Bill Swango's Wildlife Art Gallery

GPS Coordinates: N 40.47515; W 90.29339

Site Access: Free; Reservations required Parking

Amenities: Information; Restrooms; Water Fountain

Directions: From the intersection of SR (State Route) 78/N Main St. and SR 9/W
Locust St. in Canton, go west on SR 9/W Locust St. for 8.4 miles, then turn south (left) on SR 97. Go 5.7 miles through Cuba, turning west (right) on CR (County Road) 95 and going 5.2 miles to Smithfi eld. At Smithfi eld, turn south (left) onto CR 2, turning west (right) on State St. Follow State St. 2 blocks to the Red Brick School.

Description: “Memories of things I did as a kid, especially with my dad, have had a great deal of infl uence on my art and my life,” states Fulton County sculptor Bill Swango, who fashions incredible wildlife pieces of solid walnut and clay. For all his talent, Swango is quick to credit his long and successful career to his wife Shirley, who helps in arranging his pieces and getting the correct colors on his painted works.

Swango begins his wood carvings with a chain saw, followed by a painstaking series of small saws, chisels, grinders, gouges, and fi les. Final finishing is accomplished with dental tools and fi ne sandpaper. The “Red Brick Schoolhouse” in the village of Smithfi eld serves as Swango's gallery. Opened in 1917, this classic 2-story building once housed grades 1-11 and was only recently (1990) closed to classes. Please call for an appointment.

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456 Fulton Street, Suite 300, Peoria, IL 61602 - 1 (800) 747-0302
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