Award-winning wood carver shows skills in art demonstration

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Award-winning folk artist Willie Rascoe made a stop at the Pioneer Cabin on Western Kentucky University’s campus to display some of his creations and share some of his story with members of the community.

Rascoe hails from Hopkinsville and is part of an ongoing effort by the WKU Folklife Program to allow Folklore Studies and Anthropology students to meet and interface with folk art and folklore.

Camille Maria Acosta, Folklife specialist with the Folklife Program, helped to orchestrate bringing Roscoe to the event and was excited to hear what he had to say.

“He’s such an amazing character, and he’s so kind and so giving. And I’m so glad that the community got to stop by today just to hear a little bit of what he had to say. When you see folklore in the public sector and you see all of these amazing things that you can do with, you know, this degree, with this knowledge, right. And give back to the community in the way Willie does, it’s life changing,” Acosta said.

Reserved about his accomplishments, Rascoe simply loves the ability to communicate with friends and communities through his woodcarving and sculptures. He had a great number of his creations on display.

“I like the communication, letting people know what I have done for years and because to me it is rewarding because I’m still here. I’m still doing, I’ve been doing it for 47 years,” Rascoe said.