For the Long Run

RememberingTom ClarkWorld-class sculptor and former davidson college professor touched many people

by Karel Bond Lucander| photography by Jon Beyerle

Those who knew Tom Clark of Davidson describe him like one of his magical sculpted wood spirits: A little mischievous, funny, intelligent, and incredibly gracious.

Never one to wait for inspiration, this world-famous artist would head downstairs to his Cairn Studio, set his hands on clay, and bring a universe of beloved characters to life. With WDAV’s classical music playing, he would grab a cup of coffee, give his yellow lab, Spunky, a quick rub and sculpt away.

And working alongside him for more than a decade was Tim Wolfe of Charlotte. Now a nationally renowned wildlife sculptor, Wolfe answered Clark’s 1990 Charlotte Observer ad for an assistant. “I was a carpenter taking classes in commercial art at CPCC,” he says. “My thing was pen and ink. I applied and when I realized it was Tom Clark, I was pretty excited.”

Within a week, Wolfe was hired. “He taught me so much. He put me on a project to study art, from caveman time to those commissioned by the Catholic church and Renaissance. He was a wonderful mentor, teacher, and eventually an amazing friend.” Wolfe developed whimsical animals to accompany Clark’s gnomes. From 1993 to 2001, they traveled the country on weekends for signings at stores and galleries. “He was so smart and witty and would make me laugh constantly. It was such a blessing to work with him for all those years.”

After leaving to start Tim Wolfe Sculptures, they remained good friends. “He was a huge part of my life and had a tremendous impact on my family,” he says.

Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox has fond memories as a 10-year-old of Tom Clark occasionally taking him for a grilled cheese and Coke at the Davidson College Student Union while his mom finished work. In 1975, during the summer of his senior year, Mayor Knox remodeled the downstairs of Clark’s home on Grey Road into his studio. “Tommy came down and we would talk during lunch,” he says. “At the end of the summer, he gave me a gnome that included all the things we had talked about: A cap with a “P” because I was going to play baseball at Pfeiffer, a jersey with my number 15, skis and even my ’67 Mustang. For me, that gnome is priceless. Tommy was such a gentle soul. He was so soft-spoken, but you knew that anything he had to say was important.”

Left: Wendy Roberts offered to let CURRENTS photograph select pieces from her collection of 70 Tom Clark sculptures, including the Santa and Mrs. Claus on the right.

Below: Tom Clark inscribed Betty and Jim Deviney’s names on the Banana “Love Boat” sculpture. The gnomes pictured above right are also from Betty’s collection.

After Clark moved to a different home on Grey Road, Designer Mervil Paylor eventually bought and renovated his property. She enjoys relaxing in his former studio. “The room has good north light and looks out at a beautiful garden and a pond he put in. There are all kinds of wildlife daily: Deer, heron, red fox, turkey. It’s fantastic.”

Although Clark’s gnomes are in millions of collectors’ homes, Betty Deviney cherishes the more than four dozen she has prominently displayed in her Denver foyer. Betty and her late husband, Jim, attended two signings, one where he inscribed their “Love Boat” – a happy couple lying in a banana. “He asked if we would like to have him add our names as well, and that was so endearing and special.” ings he owned in downtown Davidson will continue this artist and former professor’s legacy. “He wanted to leave something of Clark row,” Mayor Knox adds. “We had been in discussions, and he had ideas. It looked like Charleston met Savannah met New Orleans and came to Davidson. It will be a tremendous add to Main Street once it’s done.”

Editor’s Note: Thomas Fetzer Clark died Jan. 14, 2022. He received a bachelor’s degree in English at Davidson College in 1949. He continued his education, receiving a bachelor’s in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Theology from University of Aberdeen. In 1958 he became a Davidson College faculty member and taught “Religious Art” for 26 years. Inspired by the book, Gnomes (Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet), he left Davidson College to devote his time to sculpting.

Photo courtesy of Wendy Roberts

The signed apron

“Tom Clark was an amazing artist. He was also kind, gracious, brilliant, and funny. He spent most weekends traveling the country for promotional events—visiting gift shops, meeting collectors, and signing statues. He charmed everyone he met. There was only one time when he was at a loss for words. Tom wore the same red apron to every event, and if he met another man named Tom Clark, he had him sign the apron. That apron was covered with at least 50 signatures. At one event, a gentleman walked up to Tom, pointed to himself, and declared, “Tom Clark!” Tom immediately had him sign the red apron, not realizing the man meant that he LOOKED like Tom. Imagine Tom’s surprise when he looked down and saw something like “Herbert Johnson” amidst all the other Tom Clarks!” – Wendy Roberts, Cornelius