This piece was previously featured on EloraFergusToday.
FERGUS – A colorful upcycled art creation by a resident of Fergus is reaching new heights, though Graeme Chalmers is primarily just enjoying the process.
Chalmers, a seasoned artist, has been crafting birdhouses, but not the typical wooden boxes – these are adorned with vibrant colors and incorporate upcycled materials such as chess pieces, checkers, salt and pepper shakers, and spoon racks.
He has presented his creations locally at the Elora Centre for the Arts as well as in the window of a lawyer’s office in Elora, but he has recently launched his exhibit in Southampton at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, running until the end of April.
Hailing from New Zealand, when Chalmers initially relocated to Fergus, he mentioned that he started by painting the local scenery and documenting changes such as the decline of farms or business closures, but later chose to focus on lighter subjects.
“I didn’t want to continue with that and desired to enjoy my art, which led me to create birdhouses in bright colors, spending days in my studio embracing the joy of it rather than stressing about the sense I was making with the painting,” Chalmers shared.
His inspiration to incorporate upcycled materials came from accompanying his wife Millie, a quilter and fiber artist, to the thrift shop as she searched for old fabrics or clothes to repurpose.
“I began to tag along with her, thinking, you know, I’m getting restless – what should I do?” Chalmers mentioned. “I started to seek out items like old chess sets and candlestick holders, the wooden elements that I utilize. … Once folks became aware of my endeavor, they began gifting me treasures from their thrift store visits.”
While the birdhouses serve as decorative pieces for some, Chalmers emphasized that they are also functional.
“They are equipped with little stair-like structures inside so that the fledglings can exit, and you can remove the bottom for cleaning after their nesting season,” Chalmers explained.
He expressed eagerness to see the guest book at the Bruce County Museum after his birdhouses have adorned the space for a few months.
Currently, he is almost out of birdhouses but intends to resume crafting them after the Christmas season.