A Reunion of Art and Heart: Gerry Boltz’s 50th Year at Mount Gretna
As the sun filters through the canopy of old trees on the historic grounds of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua, the 51st Annual Mount Gretna Outdoor Arts Show prepares to welcome thousands of visitors. Among the 200 juried artists selected out of 500 for this nationally ranked event, one name carries a legacy that spans half a century: Gerry Boltz, experienced woodcarver, storyteller and beloved member of the artistic community.
This year is especially poignant for Gerry—it marks his 50th and final year exhibiting at Mount Gretna. At 81 years old, Gerry arrives with his wife Jeanne, both retired teachers and longtime residents of Cornwall Manor, bringing with him 45 meticulously carved birds, a blend of life-size and miniature pieces. Each carving is more than art—it’s a chapter in a story that began in 1972.
It was during a vacation to the Thousand Islands that Gerry’s journey into woodcarving began. A riverman handed him a block of wood and suggested he carve a duck head. Gerry, ever the curious craftsman, added a body. That simple act sparked a passion that would evolve into a lifelong pursuit of capturing the spirit of birds in wood. Over the next five years, Gerry taught himself the craft, carving waterfowl that quickly caught the attention of admirers who began requesting custom pieces.
His skills deepened with a bird carving course at the Thousand Islands Art Center in Clayton, New York, and painting classes at Hershey Junior College. By 1979, Gerry had transitioned from waterfowl to birds of prey and shorebirds, expanding his repertoire to include owls, hawks and songbirds. His carvings are known for their lifelike detail, achieved through careful study of photographs, field guides and even “study skins” examined during an Audubon Club trip to Hog Island, Maine.
Gerry’s workshop, tucked into the garage of their Woods home at Cornwall Manor, is a sanctuary of creativity. It was a must-have when he and Jeanne joined our active senior living community in 2010. Using basswood from the linden tree for its fine grain and ability to hold detail, Gerry spends 8–12 hours on life-size birds and about 5 hours on miniatures, often working on several pieces at once. He uses wood-burning tools to etch delicate feather patterns, bringing each bird to life.
His work has been showcased at prestigious events like the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen’s Fine Craft Fair, Tyler Park’s Crafts in the Meadow and the invitation-only Easton Waterfowl Festival. Locally, he partnered with fellow Cornwall Manor resident Carolyn Baker for the Lebanon Valley Artists Tour, displaying his work in the historic Paymaster’s Building.
But Gerry’s art is more than technique—it’s connection. He’s carved a raven for an Edgar Allan Poe enthusiast, a bluejay for a college student at Elizabethtown, a cardinal in memory of a beloved family member and countless birds for weddings, birthdays and housewarmings. His carvings reside in homes across the globe—from Great Britain and Norway to Alaska and Florida. Each of his nearly 1,800 pieces is registered and stamped with his name, forming a mailing list that serves as the backbone of his advertising.
Gerry’s generosity is as enduring as his talent. He’s donated pieces to organizations including the Michael Wise Foundation, Lebanon County Conservancy, United Church of Christ Homes and the Mt. Gretna Arts Festival auction. His greatest joy? Seeing the reactions of those who encounter his work. “It’s an honor that someone wants to include my art in their home,” he says. “It’s a luxury item—you don’t need it, eat it, or wear it. But it means something.”
The Mount Gretna Arts Show, held August 16–17, is more than an exhibition—it’s a celebration of the arts that shape the Lebanon Valley. Ranked among the “200 Best” nationwide by Sunshine Artist, the show features fine art, food, film and music. For Gerry and Jeanne, it’s also a reunion. Over the years, they’ve reconnected with former students, fellow artists and lifelong friends under the trees of Old Chautauqua.
Though this will be Gerry’s final year exhibiting at Mount Gretna, he’s not stepping away from his craft. He’ll continue carving for special requests and charitable causes. “I can’t give it up,” he says with a smile. “I’ve been doing it too long.”
When he’s not carving, Gerry enjoys gardening, golfing and cheering on Penn State football. He’s even known to can vegetables from his garden—his latest batch included 12 pints of pickles.
As visitors stroll through the show this August, they’ll find more than art in Gerry’s booth. They’ll find a legacy carved in wood, shaped by passion and shared with the world. For those fortunate enough to bring home one of Gerry’s birds, it means becoming part of his story—a story shaped by hands, heart and half a century of devotion.
