Inspired by a Stenger piece in Imperial's Christensen Art Collection, the exhibition featured woodworks by A.O. "Bud" Stenger (1902-1986) and Dwight Hoff (1925-2020). Loaned from local collectors and surviving family members, visitors to the Leid Imperial Public Library marveled at the detailed craftsmanship and humor seen in transformed fenceposts and more.  

Stenger's artistry began when he was thrown from his horse in his 60s and broke some ribs. His daughter gave him some carving tools to bide his time during recovery. Most of his hundreds of carvings depicted female images on fence posts from his family's homestead. A rancher with an artist's soul, Stenger also left us with poetry. 

Inspired and trained by Stenger, Huff used Stenger's fence posts to intricately carve 526 cedar figures, many with Native American imagery. For 20 years, he and his wife, Gladys, traveled the regional craft fair circuit with their creations. Huff, in turn, taught the skill of carving to many others in Chase County.