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Burt
Fleming was born in Natchez, Mississippi, in 1954. He attended
Natchez schools and Copiah-Lincoln Junior College before moving to
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the spring of 1976. Burt worked as a
machinist for a number of years as well as being a business owner.
He is married and is the father of three daughters.
Burt began woodcarving as a hobby in late 1978. Within three
years, he became a member of a local woodcarving club, entering
pieces into competition and bringing home blue ribbons. Burt began
teaching woodcarving classes in 1986, first in the Baton Rouge
area, and later expanding into New Orleans and Southern
Mississippi. His sculptures have been featured on Baton Rouge
television stations, as well as in the Baton Rouge newspaper, The
Advocate. He has carved many large pieces for businesses in
the south Louisiana area, including the Tamahka Trails Golf Course
in Marksville. He is a well-known artist in the Baton Rouge and
New Orleans circles, having demonstrated and exhibited his talent
at large festivals and events, such as FestForAll, Magnolia Mound,
Louisiana Swamp Fest, Casino Rouge, The International Festival,
West Baton Rouge Museum, and LSU Rural Life Museum. His carvings
display a versatility seldom found in one artist.
Burt currently teaches woodcarving at Louisiana State
University and at various Baton Rouge area schools. He is a member
of the Arts Council Teaching Team, and has taught at BREC, The
Book Warehouse, Local Schools and Churches and Summer Camps. His
unique teaching style and methods cause him to be in high demand.
His skills as a teacher are unparalleled, since he is able to
relate to and instruct both beginner and advanced students;
children to retirees. Burt offers a wide variety of subject
matter for the student to choose from; such as birds, people, fish
and animals. All carving styles are also available; including,
relief, chip carving, and In-The-Round. Burt is able to make even
the most elementary aspects of woodcarving come alive to his
students, creating such an interesting learning environment that
classes frequently run over their allotted time due to student
demand.
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