Hand-carved duck decoys will be featured in “Wooden Feathers,” an exhibit in Ashford University’s Cortona Art Gallery from Feb. 7 - 24. A reception for the artist, David Evers of Camanche, Iowa, is open to the public from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23 in the gallery.

“As a child growing up in Low Moor, Iowa, I was surrounded by family and friends that were avid waterfowlers who carved decoys and made scull boats,” Evers said. “A childhood fascination with waterfowl anatomy and their colors inspired me to pursue making and painting decoys. After carving several rough decoys in my younger days, it wasn’t until 2003 when my father talked me into entering my first decoy competition at Westlake, Ohio and, after winning second place in the amateur class, I was hooked.”

Evers said he surrounded himself with world-known carvers at competitions, learned great techniques and made several good friends. The next year he competed in the open class and won first place at the California Open and first place at the International Waterfowl Carving Championships in Detroit. The following year he received first place honors at the International Woodcarvers Congress Championships and since then has taken first place several times across the USA.

Living in Camanche on the Mississippi River, Evers has a drafting and design business and also has a part-time business, Dave’s Decoy Shop, where he does “my carving and entertain my grandchildren, passing down the heritage,” he said.

The Cortona Art Gallery is located on the second floor of Ashford University’s Clare Hall at 400 North Bluff Boulevard in Clinton. The Gallery is named for Sister Cortona Phelan, OSF, former president of Mount St. Clare College (MSC) and former president of the Sisters of St. Francis. For many years, Sister Cortona influenced the quality of education at the college through her teaching of American history and her love of the arts. She also served as MSC Academy principal and as dean of students at the college.

The Gallery is open to the public, free of charge, every weekday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and for private showings by appointment. For further information, please call 563.242.4023.

About Ashford University

Ashford University is defining the modern college experience by combining the heritage of a traditional campus with the flexibility and effectiveness of online learning. The University provides a vibrant learning community where high-quality programs and leading-edge technology create a dynamic, immersive and stimulating learning experience. Ashford University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers practical and progressive associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs online, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. Ashford University – where heritage meets innovation. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.