Cork Art Extraordinaire

Walter Deuschle

Story by Tom Waring

Photos By Jamie Stow

Walter Deuschle is 94 and long retired, but the Huntingdon Valley man remains very active.

Pretty much every day, you can find him in his home art studio, creating art out of wine corks.

“I love doing it,” he said. “It keeps me alert and out of trouble.”

Deuschle grew up in Germany before coming to the United States in 1956.

In Germany, young Walter showed very good artistic talent. He completed his first two ink drawings in 1943, one of old family homes and the other titled Stalingrad, where a major World War II battle had ended early that year.

Deuschle, who’ll turn 95 in August, is a retired country club manager. While still in the workforce, he’d make gingerbread houses for Christmas. He’s also made wood carvings out of tree stumps.

Years ago, he supplemented his natural talent by taking drawing classes at the Abington Art Center in Jenkintown. Today, his studio features framed oil and acrylic paintings and pastels and drawings. Those works have been exhibited at the Abington Hospital Art Show and several other locations.

“Painting for me is relaxing,” he said. Deuschle, though, is best known for his cork panels and sculptures, many of which decorate his home studio. His inspiration came following a visit to a French wine museum that featured displays of cork art. And while he has taken art classes, that didn’t prepare him for working with cork. In that medium, it’s strictly a self-taught skill.

“I’ve had to find my own way,” he said. As for acquiring natural corks, he and his wife, Mary, would get them from friends, restaurants and wineries.

In the beginning, he’d put corks together in squares in his shed. Ultimately, a home addition became his studio. Then he doubled the size of the addition. Today, he orders colored synthetic corks from companies in Canada and South Carolina.

“Color is always impressive,” he said. Deuschle has been creating cork art for about 25 years. He makes a drawing before going to work, then uses a butcher knife and a Swiss Army knife, along with Elmer’s glue.

In cutting the cork, Deuschle is meticulous to make sure the pieces he uses in his art are smooth.

“You cannot see any cuts,” he said. The first cork sculpture he created is called, “Walter’s Shack.”

Among his most impressive creations is a 7-foot-high Eiffel Tower.

“It took me over 2,000 corks to put this thing together,” he said. “Timewise, I worked at it for over a year.”

Just as impressive is his Cinderella Castle, consisting of 7,500 corks.

“It took me 2½ years,” he said.

Other cork art standouts in his studio include an art museum. His current project is a church.

Deuschle was proud that, in 2018, the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown displayed his cork panels during its annual fundraising gala.

Two of his pieces have permanent homes at Gloria Dei Church and the Redeemer Sisters’ Chapel.

While he has mastered cork art, adding electrical to his works isn’t easy.

“It’s a challenge, no two ways about it,” he said. “The electrical hookup is the most tedious job. It can be a nightmare.”

Still, the whole process of creating cork art is a labor of love for Deuschle.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said

Besides his natural talent and the art classes he has taken, Deuschle cites another reason for his success: his wife.

“She’s my guidance,” he said.

“I go along for the ride,” she said.

Walter and Mary were married at Gloria Dei, by the Rev. Ernst Schmidt.

“We’re extremely fortunate to age together,” Walter said.

You, too, have a chance for an upclose look at Deuschle’s work.

The Huntingdon Valley Garden Club has visited his home studio, and he welcomes other guests.

“I’m always willing to receive someone who is interested,” he said. “My reward is if I am able to please people.” — 19006

Walter Deuschle can be reached at 215-947-3926 or MASD13@aol.com, or “Friend” him on Facebook.