Limestone Carving Demonstration

Indiana limestone. You probably see it every day, drive past it countless times, perhaps live in a home made of it. You see it on television every time there is an aerial view shown of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is made of gray oolitic limestone from quarries in Owen County, and at 284 feet and 6 inches high, stands a mere fifteen feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty. Many national landmarks are made of Indiana limestone, including the Empire State Building and the Biltmore Estate, and a visit to the Circle Tower in downtown Indianapolis shows the intricate, curvilinear designs that can be wrought from Indiana limestone.

Many Indiana limestone craftspeople carve objects out of limestone that are both beautiful and functional, from limestone garden animals to birdbaths to headstones. Matt Bruce is one such individual. He is a stone cutter and carver in Bedford, Indiana, who in his spare time carves amazing pieces including the scissors --they work-- shown in the above photograph. Mr. Bruce will be at the Library for a very special Limestone Carving Demonstration on Tuesday, September 10th at 6:30pm, outdoors at the Fifth Street entrance. This unique event is a collaboration between the Library and Traditional Arts Indiana. Adults, you don't want to miss this opportunity to see some of Mr. Bruce's handiwork on display and watch him carve a piece of limestone. Register your seat today.