It was an ordinary day. Standing inside the front door of Shady Maple Smorgasbord admiring the 3D paintings that cover the walls throughout the walkway that goes around the outer edge of the huge restaurant. The 3D hand-carved and painted wall hangings are the work of twin brothers Abner and Aaron Zook. The pieces of art present a three-dimensional perspective of Amish life to the tens of thousands of tourists who visit the restaurant for a traditional Amish meal. The art is carved out of wood and then painted to bring the artwork to life. I made my trip today to view the artwork since it will soon be sold at auction sometime during the next month. The work of brothers Abner and Aaron is now 100 years old with one painting recently selling for $30,000 while another sold for $40,000. The brothers were born Amish in 1921 and eventually left the Old Order church over tensions created by their own artistic endeavors as well as engagement with the outside world. But, it was their recollections of growing up Amish that formed the basis of art that combined wood carving and painting skills honed since their childhood. Abner's agricultural scenes brought back memories from his childhood and the two boys that are depicted in most of the paintings are of him and his brother Aaron. The boys were born in Leacock Township, Lancaster County, and never had any formal art training. It was their parents who urged them on and who would sell the postcards they painted at the old Brunswick Hotel in downtown Lancaster. The twins also carved miniature farm animals from wood, inspired in part by their parents saying that similar site-bought toys were too expensive. As young adults they both became farmers, but never gave up their hobby of carving and painting. When Abner, at the age of 24, bought a tractor for his farm near Gap, the Amish Church rebuked him from the church. He eventually sold the tractor and was accepted back into the church once again. But, it wasn't long before he left the church once more because of what he later described as "a difference of opinion about the need for mission work." Aaron in the meantime was thrown out of the Amish church for making "graven images." He eventually joined the Amish Mennonite church, but was excommunicated from there after a 1955 visit to New York City to see a rehersal for "Plain & Fancy." Abner later worked as a carpenter and boat builder while Aaron worked for a time as a pattern maker and custom furniture maker. But, by 1970, the brothers were full-time artists, maintaining separate studios and working independently. Abner's grandson cataloged more than 200 of his grandfather's artwork, but by the time he had died in 2010 he had produced more than 800 pieces. Aaron's grandson, Sam Zook, said that his grandfather more than likely produced at least five pictures for every one his brother Abner made, noting that later in life he would mass produce pictures using molds. Zook family members now have many of the twins' paintings in private collections. Mr. Jim Binsberger, a retired finance executive in Berks County, PA owns about 80 of the Zook's pieces. He said that the artwork is so unique, and it's a niche type of artwork you don't see anywhere. Mr. Binsberger plans to be on hand when the remainder of the art is sold at auction in the near future. As I walked around the outer hallway of the restaurant today I had the chance to see the 13 Abner pictures and the 11 Aaron pictures that grace the lobby, hallways and dining room of the restaurant. I only wish that those reading this story could have been with me to see the artwork. Many of the pieces that will be auctioned soon could bring $10,000 or more each. As I walked around the entire place I managed to take photos of just about every piece in the restaurant. They were all amazing pieces of artwork. And, to really appreciate them you must see them in person, since the 3D effect is hard to capture on film, but it is that 3D effect that makes the artwork remarkable. I have tried to take a few photos of the artwork from different angles, but until you see them with your own eyes, it's impossible to appreciate them. I can see why they will bring amazing prices. I suspect a few of them could gather at least $25,000. Since I taught Graphic Arts and photography in high school, and had teachers on either side of me who were fantastic art teachers, I appreciated those who were talented artists. The art I saw today was also remarkable, but in a different way. You just had to see it to believe it. As I stood with my camera, composing a photograph of one of the pieces of art, another photographer stopped and asked how I was able to capture the 3D effect. I had no answer for him, since I wasn't able to do so. And...that's what makes them so special. The artwork, carved in wood and then painted is in some places 4" to 5" deep. You can't believe it until you see it in person. Something I will never forget. PS - I tried to take the best photographs of each piece, but the lighting in the semi-dark restaurant hallways as well as not being able to light the photographs since they were 3D, made for at times photos that were out of focus and other times poorly lit. You just had to be there to see them!! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - click on photos to enlarge them.
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| #1 - A schoolhouse painting with a closeup below. Notice the depth. |
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| #2 - House and barn. Notice the depth in photo below showing animals |
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#3 - The full frame photograph with just a section below where you can see depth. |
A few more of the 3-D hand-carved art pieces from the Zook brothers.
Final comment....I am posting this story on Friday, March 25. The morning LNP newspaper just released the information that the sale of the Zook pictures will begin at 7:00 PM, Saturday, March 26 at the PA Auction Center, 1141 Wea Wit Street, East Earl, Pennsylvania, behind the Town Hall Restaurant. Check your computer or other device for directions if you are interested in purchasing one of these beautiful pieces of artwork.
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