Bill Gardner

Dallas County, Alabama

Bill Gardner, a Valley Grande, Alabama resident, admits to being a self-taught woodcrafter. Living in the Black Belt region gives him inspiration for his work because he loves “the down-home atmosphere and family conservative values.” “Patriotism,” he said, plays an important part of the inspiration of his work, especially when “viewing waving flags in the wind.”

Bill started woodwork because he “enjoyed working with my hands.” He uses select pine wood from local sawmills. The work that he crafts take four to five hours from start to finish. The wooden flags that Bill makes are beautiful examples of his patriotism. Besides the flags, he also makes wooden crosses in his Valley Grande workshop.