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Keith Felder
Denham Springs, LA
Wooden Boat Builder
Traditional Artist
Southern
Artistry

Adjudicated
Artist
About the Artist

An avid fisherman and hunter, Keith Felder grew up navigating the lakes and rivers of south Louisiana. Later he apprenticed with several master boat builders in the region and went on to build boats of his own from such materials as Spanish cedar and sinker cypress. Whether it is a pirogue, john boat or a cypress skiff, all of his boats are well-crafted, in-demand vessels.

Websites

Felder’s website
Felder’s biography
from the Louisiana Folklife Program

Article about Felder

Experience the Exhibit
Wood Gallery
Relationship to Place Gallery


Dugout Pirogue
2006-2007
800 year-old, retrieved
sinker cypress log
5.5" x 60" x 15.75"

Paddle, 2007
800 year-old, retrieved
sinker cypress log
1" x 24" x 4"

Push Pole, 2007
800 year-old, retrieved
sinker cypress log
2.75" x 28" x 10.25"

Photo by Luis Quiles, 2007


What is mastery to Felder?
“I want to build traditional Louisiana wooden boats that are functional, beautiful and made from Louisiana lost wood (800 year old cypress). To be a master, one must know his boats and then read his wood to produce the elegant curves that enhance his boat. He must have the mind and eye and skill to command the hands."

 

 
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