Wood carving of a bass by Dr. Michael Stuart

UNC Asheville Biology Professor Michael Stuart's passion for wildlife research has taken him as far as Australia and Southeast Asia. Now, it's launching him into the art world. Some 22 of his acclaimed wood carvings, which depict a variety of animals and caricatures, are now on display on the main floor of Ramsey Library through April 27.

Stuart's carvings have received a number of awards from the North Carolina Mountain State Fair and Western Carolina Carvers Competition. His art is on permanent display at the North Carolina Arboretum, the Folk Art Center, and Mission Hospitals, and has been featured in the National Wood Carvers Association magazine.

Stuart joined the UNC Asheville faculty in 1986 and has studied throughout Central America, East Africa, Madagascar, the Comoro Islands, Australia and Southeast Asia. Inspired by the range of artistic representations of nature he encountered in his travels, he now works to develop his own art form.

Stuart's exhibition is on view during regular library hours. Admission is free. For hours of operation, call UNC Asheville’s Ramsey Library at 828/251-6546.