COMPLETED STATUE STANDS TALL

An Indian gradually began to emerge from the stump as Birk continued work. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

A proud Indian brave now stares thoughtfully across uptown Jackson. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Towering above the southeast corner of North Main and East High, just off the Courthouse Square, the figure stands in solemn watch over the city of Jackson.

In less than a month, chain saw sculptor August W. Birk transformed the dying pin oak tree next to the Jackson Chamber of Commerce office into a work of art.

The oak was 46 inches in diameter and 50 feet tall before trimmed in preparation for sculpting. The entire statue, including the base, now stands more than 11 feet tall.

Bags of sawdust will be sold by Jackson High School students as "spirit dust."

Birk worked from a drawing by Megan Thiele, a JHS student, who created a smiling young brave. Birk worked from the drawing, although his brave looked older and more rugged.

Birk has about 25 wood statues throughout Cape County, including Jesus, golfers, football players, a bowing Asian man, Cape founder Louis Lorimier and other figures. He has done wood carving since the early 1980s.

"It's a point of reference," said Ken Parrett, executive director of the chamber. "People look at it and see it as a positive in the community of Jackson. Who knows, it might even turn into a tourist attraction and draw people downtown. Hopefully in that aspect of them coming downtown to view it, they'll spend more time in Jackson itself."

To many, the statue merely represents the JHS Indian mascot. Birk sees it as more than that, though.

"I wanted it to be done in honor of the Indians who lived in this area," he said. "I'm hoping people will have good feelings about it."

The carving is protected by three coats of preservatives and one coat of sealer. Joe Sherinski, chairman of the committee that arranged for the carving to be made, had indicated that a metal plate could possibly be placed between the stump and the carving itself, at some point.

Birk expressed pleasure in how the statue came out.

"I'm proud of it myself," he said. "I'm happy with the way it turned out. It's probably one of the nicest pieces of wood I've worked with."