Drive Hwy. 90, Beach Blvd., along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and be awed by the marine life chainsaw art that resulted from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
At the hands of gifted chainsaw artists, Mississippian Dayton Scoggins and Floridian Marlin Miller, dozens of dead trees in Biloxi, Miss., which were victims of the powerful storm surge of Hurricane Katrina, morphed from reminders of devastation into symbols of renewal and triumph.
Biloxi's Katrina Sculpture Project
Biloxi's Katrina Sculpture Project began in January 2007 when Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway and Public Affairs Manager Vincent Creel connected with Scoggins. They discussed sculpting marine-related figures from the dozens of standing dead trees in the median of Beach Blvd.
Biloxi Katrina Chainsaw Sculpture Artists Dayton Scoggins and Marlin Miller
Biloxi reports it invested $7,000 for Scoggins' initial carvings. Those works inspired Fort Walton Beach, Fla., sculptor and frequent Biloxi visitor Marlin Miller to approach the city about donating his time and talent to sculpting more of the standing dead trees.
The majority of the 20 sculptures are Miller's. According to city of Biloxi officials, Miller wanted to leave his mark on Biloxi and return the favor of Biloxians who had helped his community recover after Hurricane Ivan several years earlier.
In an American Profile article, Miller said, "Most generations in Mississippi go eight or nine generations deep,” he explains. “When these people lost a giant tree, it wasn’t just theirs. It was something that their great-great-great grandparents played under as children. This token gesture from me represents a rebuilding of the spirit.”
Biloxi Locals and Visitors Inspired by Katrina Sculptures
Today, the sculptures inspire and awe both residents and visitors who travel to the lovely seaside community.
"When we traveled to Biloxi in our RV to spend the winter, my wife and I didn't know what to expect to see as a result of Katrina," said Jim Crisp of Johnstown, Pa. during an interview. "When we exited Interstate 110 and turned west onto Beach Blvd. only minutes passed before my wife shouted in excitement at the carvings. They told us Biloxi's spirit had survived and was flourishing."
"Those awesome sculptures moved us ... they were kind of magicial," added Biloxi visitor Vickie Gardner, VP of Alpen Optics in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. "We spent a lot of time staring at them and feeling their energy. The storm took the living trees but they came back strong and meaningful, and they live through the sculptures.
"My girlfriend Rita lived in Biloxi before the storm, and she felt the same way. It seemed sculptures held some kind of healing for her."
Marlin Miller Art Exhibit at the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport
Those who travel to or from Biloxi through the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport can enjoy an exhibit of Miller's art. The display opened in March 2010. It consists of wall hangings, framed photos, and several of Marlin’s unique wood sculptures.
“The Airport Art Program allows for a means to showcase and educate visitors and locals on the artistic development of the MS Gulf Coast,” said Airport Chairman Richard Matheny in a statement to the press. “Marlin Miller’s amazing work on the MS Gulf Coast is perfectly aligned with the purpose and intent of our Airport Art Program.”
Miller also crafted a book on his Katrina chainsaw sculptures and experience, KATRINA SCULPTURES " Reflections of the Resilience of the Mississippi Gulf Coast".
Laurie Lee Dovey - By Laurie Lee Dovey
