Haida Totem Pole, One Year Later

By Stephen Loughman, Preparator

When Fenimore Art Museum received its magnificent Haida Totem Pole last year, one of the first questions that many asked was, "What will it look like next year?"

This morning I snapped a few photos of what the Totem Pole looks like today. The very top of the pole has turned to a pale, weathered look, and as you work your way down the piece it changes from light to dark. This color change highlights all the detail work that went into the carving of the pole - features such as the beaver’s tail and the eyes of each character. Nature has really made the work come alive, and the Totem Pole has become a piece of art that is changing from day to day, which is very cool indeed.