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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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