Have you heard of the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival? Artists from around the globe come to Monona, Wisconsin, to transform ordinary logs into one-of-a-kind works of art—and it all happens in just one week! Read on to discover the sculptor behind the festival, how it began, and what visitors can experience today. Trust us, this is a Ho-Chunk Nation legacy you will want to know more about!
Meet Gene Delcourt: The Sculptor Behind the Festival
For Gene Delcourt, being in the woods and working with wood have always been a constant love. After earning his undergraduate degree and becoming certified to teach social studies in the early 1990s, Gene decided to return to graduate school.
He applied to the art department with a portfolio of incredible willow baskets he made during the winter, but his sole interest in sculpting wood never wavered. The committee chair, well-known Ho-Chunk Nation artist Truman Lowe, told Gene the school didn’t have anyone teaching wood sculpture.
But Truman knew someone Gene should meet: the one-and-only Harry Whitehorse, a Ho-Chunk artist residing in Monona. That same day, Gene went to see Harry and asked if he would mentor him. Harry agreed, and the rest is truly history.
That spring, under Harry’s guidance, Gene carved little birds, learning to focus on every detail—from every line to every feather. Harry had a remarkable ability to create detailed, expressive pieces of art that really resonated with people. It was then that Gene discovered what was possible as an artist.
How the Festival Took Root
Years after Harry’s passing, Gene traveled to Germany for a powerful symposium. On the flight home, he and his wife started talking about an idea they had dreamed about for nearly 30 years: organizing a symposium of their own. They decided that it was now or never.
When they arrived at home, Gene called Harry’s widow with a full vision: bring artists from across the globe to Wisconsin for a week of carving, showcase Harry’s incredible work, and let visitors watch the artists create in real time. She loved the idea, and the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival officially took root.
About 8,000 people attended the first year, showing Gene the community was ready for an event like this. That’s why it only made sense to name the festival after his influential teacher, Harry, honoring this lasting Ho-Chunk Nation legacy.
The Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival
This Ho-Chunk Nation legacy lives on year after year at the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival. At the weeklong event, visitors can watch world-class international artists from across the world transform ordinary logs into one-of-a-kind sculptures.
One of the most remarkable parts? Creating a sculpture usually takes way longer than a week, but at the festival, artists take on the challenge over the course of just a few days. Oftentimes, wood carvings are thought of as decorative pieces rather than a legitimate art form. And through this festival, Gene hopes that visitors will feel inspired to try themselves.
The festival starts with an opening ceremony honoring Ho-Chunk culture and Harry’s lasting legacy, featuring the Ho-Chunk Color Guard as well as traditional Ho-Chunk singing, drumming, and dancing. At the end of the week, artists share their finished pieces before they are placed in public spaces around Dane County, honoring Harry and beautifying the entire Madison area.
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Plan your visit to Monona next June and watch artists create something beautiful from an ordinary log. You won’t want to miss this unique celebration of Harry Whitehorse’s work, the mentorship he shared with Gene Delcourt, and the Ho-Chunk Nation artistry that continues to inspire people today.
Get a glimpse into this powerful story and fascinating festival by watching this Discover Wisconsin short, “Harry Whitehorse: Honoring the Legacy of a Ho-Chunk Artist,” below:
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Hailey Marien: Writer for Discover Mediaworks. A born & bred Wisconsinite with a love for fishing, hunting, and enjoying the great outdoors.
