Ex Nihilo An encounter with Dan Klennert Artist / Sculptor Near Ashford WA September 2011

Over the years, while traveling in the USA, we have come to appreciate the pleasant surprises that driving on backroads offers, far from the scripted and canned places and events along major highways.

The artist opens his workshop And so it happened again “out west”, between Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Rainier. Slowly rolling towards Ashford WA, we spotted an iron giraffe, with a signboard welcoming visitors. We found a park full of stunningly crafted steel and driftwood sculptures, as well as their creator, Dan Klennert, who invited us inside his workshop. He explained his works and artistic development for an hour.

Ex nihilo.... Latin for “out of nothing”, is the term that Dan Klennert uses to characterize his artistic process. His creations, using material that humans and nature threw away, are astounding. Of special significance to us: Art is thriving, not in a major city, but by the little advertised, yet vibrant bye-ways. We expected nothing and left much richer.

Dan Klennert can be reached at P.O.Box 402 Elbe, WA