FOLK ART IS ALIVE AND WELL

By Ashlea Turner
Sun Staff Writer

One doesn’t need to search hard to spot the colorful and daring wooden folk art on Lake Street in Empire. Walk south on Lake Street from downtown Empire’s Front Street and slowly the creatures begin to appear on the right side of the road. Brightly painted birds from another planet mingle with award-winning rhododendron. Flying mermaids headed back to Lake Michigan keep watch over praying mantis, giraffe and a unique breed of leggy aliens. Day and night, the popular “sunmoons” brighten the spot. Dozens of species of ceramic and plastic frogs lounge together and create a patchwork of green tones that make a carefully groomed lawn appear downright trite. This is truly a sight one must not only behold, but rather, experience by taking time to wander the jaw-dropping rhododendron gardens juxtaposed with tirelessly created wooden creatures.
So who are the masterminds behind the beautiful sculpture gardens? Enter Gerald and Evelyn Gorte of Gorte’s Woods ‘n Things, who work together year-round to create and exhibit one-of-a-kind wooden sculptures and birdhouses. Gerry’s creative process, “she doesn’t tell me what to carve and I don’t tell her what to paint,” seems to work extremely well for their thought-provoking breed of Northern Michigan folk art. Winters are often long and quiet in Empire and make for lots of TV watching and sleeping, or instead, for Gerry and Evelyn, much time for creating and thinking about their collective art work.
The eclectic creations don’t stop in the yard however. For a real sense of their unique and fun-loving style, just ask to see what they’ve got on display inside the house or in the garage. The house is a mini folk art museum with fantastical fish, figurines and other strange-looking creatures or “caricatures”, as Gerry calls them. According to Gerry and Evelyn, “the uglier they are, the better they sell.” Not ugly in the least, however, are some beautifully stylized women and birds carved out of cherry and then finished with a light wax. A hidden treasure right here in Empire!
The Gortes also like to take special orders for sculptures. Many people have brought the Gortes a photograph of their favorite dog or loved ones and Gerry dives right in to begin carving the intricate likenesses and then hands them off to Evelyn to begin painting. The Gortes’ passion and enthusiasm for what they create just about bubbles over.
But wait, there’s more! Inside the garage, one will also find a wide selection of wood and stone birdhouses, perfect homes for the male wrens to show off to their female spouses. (A steal for about $25 and up!) Adorning the outside of the garage slither carved snakes of various colors and patterns. One could literally spend hours perusing the wonders. And then reluctantly leave because there is always more to see and there are always more stories to hear from Gerald and Evelyn, ebullient and fun-loving people.
Although the colorful folk art is the most eye-popping sign of the Gortes’ many passions, the rhododendron garden in the backyard is closest to Gerry’s heart. He has been growing award-winning rhododendron since 1990 and expands his gardens every year.
Make sure to stop by and witness the showy rhododendron flowers with your own eyes. The Gortes’ love of life is infectious and one’ll want to come back, with friends and family, again and again. Guaranteed.
The Gortes are around most days, except Tuesdays, and if no one answers the front door, just check out back in the garage. Either Gerry or Evelyn will be busy working hard, keeping folk art alive and well in Empire.