Dustin Wolf is working hard to preserve a piece of Niwot’s history — and his father’s legacy.
Wolf is currently restoring three tree sculptures that were carved by his dad, Eddie Running Wolf. The sculptures depict Native American individuals with meticulous detail, their faces and bodies brought to life in willow wood through the skilled hands of local artist Eddie Running Wolf, who died in 2020.
The sculptures, which embody Cheyenne and Arapaho figures, hold a special meaning for Dustin Wolf, who has been involved in the restoration effort for the last five years. In addition to reflecting his father’s heritage, they showcase the town of Niwot’s history. That’s especially true for one sculpture that depicts an Arapaho man riding a horse.
“He had told me,” Wolf said of his father, “it was kind of his imagined portrait of Chief Niwot at some point in his life.”
The restored carving of Cheyenne Ma’heónehetane, Holy Man, center, and Biitoheinen, Spear Lodge Man, right, by Eddie Running Wolf is seen as Dustin Wolf works to restore the carving of Niisiitenoot Nii’eihiiho, The Eagle Catcher, left, in a studio near Niwot on Friday, Jan. 23. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)Niwot residents and frequent visitors to the town might remember when the sculptures sat near the intersection of Second Avenue and Niwot Road. Eddie Running Wolf carved them from 2007 to 2016 out of willow trees along the street. Not long after Eddie Running Wolf’s passing, volunteers relocated one of the sculptures, once rot was found inside.
Now, all three sculptures sit inside a nearby workshop, shielded from the cold and snow as Dustin Wolf painstakingly restores each one. The restoration process involves chipping away at the sculptures’ weathered outer surfaces, removing the rotten wood and applying a new finish.
The “Cheyenne Holy Man” sculpture depicts a spiritual leader, “Spear Lodge Man” is an Arapaho warrior, and “The Eagle Catcher” shows a man capturing an eagle with his bare hands. Each comes with a plaque at its base with more information about the role each figure plays in their tribal community.
The sculptures loom above Wolf as he works. “Spear Lodge Man” is nearly too tall for the workshop, at 13 feet. “The Eagle Catcher” had to be separated into two parts — bird and man — to fit inside the workshop. The eagle has been Wolf’s priority recently, lying on a table as Wolf carefully carves its feathers.
The restored face of the Cheyenne Ma’heónehetane, Holy Man, carving by Eddie Running Wolf is seen in a studio near Niwot on Friday, Jan. 23. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)Wolf has fully restored “Cheyenne Holy Man” and “Spear Lodge Man.” He hopes to finish “The Eagle Catcher” this year. He estimated that the entire project has taken 500 hours of his time so far.
Wolf, who is 27, is taking classes at Aims Community College in Greeley while working on the sculptures. He said his dad taught him how to carve, a skill Wolf puts to use as he removes the aged wood of each sculpture “one little chisel chip at a time.”
The second part of the restoration effort is ensuring that the sculptures find a good home. Rather than return them to the open air, where they would be exposed to the elements, the Niwot Cultural Arts Association wants to build a permanent shelter for the carvings along Boulder County’s LoBo Regional Trail in the Niwot area.
“If we just leave these outside again, I’m going to be doing this in another 10 years,” Wolf explained.
The cost of the restoration has been covered by sales tax revenues and donations from the Niwot Business Association and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association. There is also a public fundraiser for the costs of the shelter, site engineering and landscaping.
Jeff Wolcott, who is storing the sculptures in his workshop east of Niwot, is Wolf’s partner in the process and has helped with the metal elements of the sculptures. Wolcott said he tries to take a moment to go to the workshop and admire Wolf’s work every day.
The original signature of Eddie Running Wolf and the restoration signature of his son Dustin Wolf are seen on a sculpture in a studio near Niwot on Friday, Jan. 23. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)Dave Lee, an architect based in Niwot, is on the Niwot Cultural Arts Association’s volunteer Tree Carving Committee. He and other artists are currently designing the outdoor canopy that they hope will house the tree carvings once they are all restored. The structure will likely resemble a tipi, Lee shared.
More information on the project can be viewed at niwotarts.org.
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