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New Life for Old Barns


((PKG)) BIRDHOUSE ARTIST
((Banner: New Life for Old Barns))
((Reporter: Julie Taboh))
((Camera: Adam Greenbaum))
((Additional Camera: Philip Alexiou))
((Adapted by: Philip Alexiou))

((Map: Washington, D.C.))
((Pop-Up Banner: Environmentally Conscious Artist at
Smithsonian Craft Show))
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Farm Journal, Media))
((John Guertin, Artist))
In the early days, I would go out and purchase a barn. So, I
started collecting them. I wanted to preserve them. My
thought being, if you can use recycled material from old
sources to bring new generations of birds into the world and
other creatures, thinking that this is really the full circle of life,
and it makes a wonderful statement about our purpose in the
world, that we don't just exploit it, but rather we give
something back.
((NATS))
((John Guertin, Artist))
What we've tried to follow was a more ancient style of
making things, 19th century approach and craftsmanship in
honor of St. Francis. She is the patron saint of the
environment. If you look at the real design of the mission, it
has a rose window exactly in the position, perfect for a
birdhouse in honor of the musical nature of birds. You see
the F holes and has a copper predator guard to stop
sparrows from damaging. What we've been trying to do is
encourage people to celebrate the idea of conservation,
((Courtesy: Farm Journal, Media))
make collectable birdhouses that are functional, architectural
and scientific works that will serve the needs of songbirds
and other cavity nesting species, such as owls and bats, and
hopefully make some small impact on the environment by
encouraging people to participate in box programs to help
these creatures.
((NATS))


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