Family Fun / Arts & Leisure

FOWL PLAY: New Figge exhibit looks at the art of wooden duck decoys

By David Burke | Monday, October 13, 2008 | () comments

When hunters set out their wooden duck decoys in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it’s doubtful they were considered pieces of art.

Yet, through the years, the decoys — individually made, no two alike — have attracted a flock of fans who appreciate them for their artwork.

“These are beautifully crafted, beautifully handpainted,” said Rima Girnius, associate curator of the Figge Art Museum in downtown Davenport. “They do fit in with a certain tradition of visual art.”

That’s the idea behind “Decoy Masterworks of the Illinois River,” which opens next weekend — the start of duck season, not so coincidentally, in northern Illinois; Iowa’s season begun last month — at the Figge.

The decoys going on display were made by various craftsmen, including Robert Elliston, Charles Schoenheider, Henry Ruggles and Stephen Lane, all of whom lived along the Illinois River during the time period of 1860 to 1940.

The hollow wooden decoys were handcrafted by the artists and then painted by their wives, Girnius said.

“It’s art that has function. These pieces in particular are very, very rare,” said Angela Hunt, the Figge marketing director.

All of the decoys are from an anonymous private collection and will be shown under glass — chipped paint, scuff marks and all.

“It’s folk art, but it’s also functional art,” Hunt said. “You’ll see some of them and the paint’s worn off. They were actually used.”

Along with the exhibit, the Figge lobby will have displays on waterfowl habitat, nature and conservation from the Ducks Unlimited organization, as well as pieces about the sport of hunting, she said.

The out-of-the-ordinary exhibit may lure a new crowd to the museum, Girnius said.

“It’s not what most people consider to be art,” she added. “We’re using this exhibit as a way to introduce a different audience to what we have.”

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.

IF YOU GO

What: “Decoy Masterworks of the Illinois River”

When: Oct. 18 through Feb. 15; hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, with a 9 p.m. closing on Thursdays

Where: Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport

How much: $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, $4 for children younger than 12 years

Information: (563) 326-7804 or FiggeArt Museum.org on the Web