“Though birdhouses are generally not considered art as much as craft,” Cottingham says, “these pieces serve as wooden sculptures that will actually function as designed for specific birds.”

Cottingham uses natural materials, such as mountain laurel, hollow logs, and stumps, as well as recycled material from old buildings and sawmills, to create interesting pieces of rustic beauty and functionality.

“I build birdhouses of varying shapes and sizes, most of which are functional, some of which have stands that are created for their sculptural qualities,” he says. “The stands are made from twisted natural pieces of wood, which are basically woven together and fastened with pegs to create flowing vertical forms to support the birdhouses. Each one is uniquely coordinated for the piece it supports.”

In addition to functional birdhouses, Cottingham also makes ornamental birdhouses on stands for interior display. The principles of construction are the same as the functional houses, yet on a smaller scale. He also makes birdhouse Christmas ornaments from several types of wood with split shingle roofs and a variety of ornamentation, including birds, bells, and lights.

Visitors to The NC Arboretum will also be able to explore “H. Douglas Pratt and John C. Sill's BIRDS: The Science of Illustration.” In conjunction with the Arboretum’s celebration as an official part of the NC Birding Trail, this exhibit explores how art and science work together in Pratt and Sill’s artistic illustrations of birds. Located at the Baker Exhibit Center, additional features include:

• A bird nest collection, containing nests and egg replicas of local songbirds.
• An interactive bird song display.
• A habitat match-up interactive mural designed to teach concepts of animal needs and the distinct habitats of local birds in habitats that occur in WNC.
• An illustration table with sketch paper, pencils, erasers and colored pencils.
  For information, call 828.665.2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.

  (Image provided by the NC Arboretum.)

  
  
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