"Stone Entropy" with Chet Haring, Luke Leone, and Gregory Tonozzi
Stone carving by Luke Leone
“Metamorphic processes have been happening to this stone for billions of years. My hands are now part of these changes. I owe a debt to the miners quarrying the stone, and the geological formations that blessed me with such beautiful stone. ”
Read an article about Greg Tonozzi and Marble, CO by local author Denise Moss in the Winter 2023 edition of Craftsmanship Quarterly.
Carbondale Arts presented “Stone Entropy” featuring three local marble sculptors all living and working within the Crystal River Valley: Chet Haring, Lucas Leone, and Gregory Tonozzi, who each exhibited new works both inside the gallery space as well as outside in The Launchpad’s sculpture gardens. The show ran May 26 - June 27, and the community was invited to the opening reception on First Friday, June 2, from 5-7pm at The Launchpad.
Listen to Chet, Lucas, and Gregory on KDNK from their interview on “Express Yourself”, which begins around the 38 minute mark (aired May 26, 2023)
Humans seem to be helping the entropy of matter. These three carvers would like to think that these sculptures are a small interlude to be enjoyed in the history of the stones, displaying the beauty of the stone itself and diversity of stone carving.
About Our Sponsors:
This exhibition was generously sponsored by Colorado Stone Quarries, artist James Mason (ArtWorx, LLC), and Marble Distilling Co and Marble Inn. Thank you!
Colorado Stone Quarries are located in the upper Crystal River Valley, South of Carbondale and outside the town of Marble. After some years of siting dormant, the quarry was acquired by and reopened in 2011 by R.E.D. Graniti. The Yule Quarry was first opened in 1885 and continues to supply some of the finest American marble. Learn more at coloradostonequarries.com.
James Mason of ArtWorx, LLC, has been working with the Roaring Forge, LLC in Carbondale since 2013 where he has been able to expand his skills and work with some of the valleys finest blacksmith artists. James won third place in Carbondale Arts’ 44th Annual Valley Visual Art Show for his forged steel sculpture “Iris”.
Located in downtown Carbondale, Colorado, The Marble Distillery Co and Marble Inn is a one-of-a-kind distillery, using all copper pot stills with 100% Colorado grains, pure Crystal River Water, local sourcing and partnerships with local non-profits and national environmental non profits. Learn more at marbledistilling.com.
Chet Haring, Carbondale, Colorado
Chet has been making art all his life. He decided to study art at Lockhaven University of Pennsylvania in 1998 and received a BA in 3-Dimensional Design and Sculpture in 2001. He moved to the Rocky Mountains in 2003. Along with pursuing his own ambitions as an artist, he has worked for and with various public artists and installation crews around the country. He discovered the Crystal River Valley in 2007 when he attended the Marble/marble stone carving symposium in Marble, CO. where he is currently a staff member. Since then he has moved to Carbondale and put down roots.
Look for more of Chet’s work at haringworks.wixsite.com/chetharing/sculpture-gallery or on his Instagram page @ChetHaring.
Luke Leone, Whitewater, Colorado
Art inhabits life. Every grain of knowable sensation is active with creative spirit.
To make a statement as an artist is to state as a human.
To be primates working stone is to be gods shaping life.
What is important? What is worthy of attention?
It has already been said: “Attend the minute particulars.”
Savor the engagement with the digestible morsels,
put off the tough tissues that will not fit your own jaw.
To lunge at what is greater then your self is reckless. A pika will not pick a fight with a falcon.
Art is not the answer to the worlds problems. But Art solves the problem of life.
Gregory Tonozzi, Marble, Colorado
To me, good art doesn’t get old, it endures, like a Beatles tune. But I also like the whimsical side to art. It gives people freedom to express. And a good teacher is an artist. And a plumber can be an artist. So I don’t know what the word art really means. It’s like hanging onto a squirmy fish.
Michelangelo is a major inspiration but I owe it to myself to be open to everybody. People should do their own dance because life is so short. They have to do their dance to be part of the universe.
Some [art] work is only a mathematical process. I need to cut loose and let the stone speak in order to make art. Stone is delicate, but heavy. I love stone. I would be distraught if I couldn’t do this.
Young children are easy to teach. It comes naturally. Men want to make their piece all in one go. Women are better students because they understand the gradual nature of sculpting. It takes time.