artist

Bill Baker is a talented chainsaw artist and the owner of Top Notch Chainsaw Carving. He also makes an appearance on the HBO Max series “Somebody Somewhere” as the “genius chainsaw artist.” An Illinois resident with carvings across the state, Bill Baker spoke to Community Voices about his interest in chainsaw carvings, safety practices and, of course, the hilarious behind-the-scenes story of his TV appearance.For more information about Bill Baker visit: https://www.topnotchcarving.com/

Matt Pryer is a maintenance engineer at Sacred Heart Convent and a local metal artist. He spoke to Community Voices about how he got into metal art, his most recent metal art projects, and the passion he has for his work at Sacred Heart Convent. Matt also talks about an upcoming craft show happening in late September in collaboration with Springfield Carriage House.

Carolyn Owen Sommer is an artist, who began her career creating pottery, but then switched to watercolors. And now, she works with mixed media to create works of art. She spoke to Community Voices about how she got her start as an artist and the similarities between pottery and watercolors. She also shared her inspiration for her artwork, and how color and design are integrated into what she creates.

Shatriya Smith is a poet and the executive director of the Garvey-Tubman Cultural Arts and Research Center. She spoke with Community Voices about her family's history in Springfield and how she uses poetry to manage anxiety and frustrations. She also recited her favorite poem "home" and gave an update on her upcoming poetry books.

Carolyn Owen Sommer is an artist, who began her career creating pottery, but then switched to watercolors. And now, she works with mixed media to create works of art. She spoke to Community Voices about how she got her start as an artist and the similarities between pottery and watercolors. She also shared her inspiration for her artwork, and how color and design are integrated into what she creates.

Monica Zanetti Reed and Jeremy Reed are the owners of Wild Rose, an artisan boutique in downtown Springfield. The store features hand-made items from local artists. The couple spoke with Community Voices about how they came to own the business and shared their passion for local art.

Monica Zanetti Reed and Jeremy Reed are the owners of Wild Rose, an artisan boutique in downtown Springfield. The store features hand-made items from local artists. The couple spoke with Community Voices about how they came to own the business and shared their passion for local art.

Shatriya Smith is a poet and the executive director of the Garvey-Tubman Cultural Arts and Research Center. She spoke with Community Voices about her family's history in Springfield and how she uses poetry to manage anxiety and frustrations. She also recited her favorite poem "home" and gave an update on her upcoming poetry books.

Dominic Cellini is a local sequential artist. He has written a webtoon called "Emmy the Robot" and a book titled "Twenty-one Terrifying Monsters." Cellini spoke to Community Voices about how we got his start drawing cartoons and how he chooses characters to write about.

Dominic Cellini is a local sequential artist. He has written a webtoon called "Emmy the Robot" and a book titled "Twenty-one Terrifying Monsters." Cellini spoke to Community Voices about how we got his start drawing cartoons and how he chooses characters to write about.