Dinosaurs, Dragons Invade S&T Bank

By Zandy Dudiak, Photographs by Shawn Mertz

From the Gateway Press - September 2000

Don't look for sophisticated purses at Gene Fenton's "Alligator Bags" exhibit at S&T Bank in Penn Hills this month. Instead look for creatures that could bite your wallet -at least if you decide to take one home with you.

Fenton, Who lives in Indiana, PA, creates his works from papier maché. Dinosaurs, dragons, crocs and bugs come to life in different sizes and colors, with attention to details such as red eyes, wrinkly skin and ferocious fangs.

The creatures are hanging around the bank exhibit, sponsored in conjunction with the Penn Art Association.

Fenton attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Long Island University, studying sculpture, print making and painting. But it wasn't until he graduated that his fascination with reptilian art began.

Originally, he was hoping to work in clay. Because of the costs involved with a kiln and supplies, he opted instead for papier mache, which can be disposed of easily with minimal cost.

This is not the papier maché technique that school children use to create pumpkins from balloons, piece smoothed upon piece until the shape is obtained.

"It's taken me quite a while to know what's what," says Fenton. Instead of the layer-by-layer approach, Fenton "mushes" on the papier mache all at once, working it as if it were clay.

"I think you have to be real patient with it," he says. "There's a point where you can overwork it."

To dry the thick layers, he puts his art in front of a dehumidifier. Some creations take up to three weeks to dry completely. Depending on what he is designing, certain parts of the piece may have to be reworked by sanding or trimming the papier mache with a knife.

Some creatures, such as the long-necked brontosaurus, have to be built slowly. Fenton says if he did the neck all at once, it would droop.

"The dinosaurs with protruding horns and body armor intrigue me the most because they give me the greatest opportunity to experiment with texture and color," he says.

The pieces of art vary in size and price. One of the larger creatures is a 3-by-3 foot dragon. Smaller pieces run about $80 while larger ones cost in the vicinity of $200.

Fenton draws his inspiration from the old black-and-white films of monsters and dinosaurs. Although not accurate, he says the old cinematic images are "dramatic and expressive." The details are filled in by his imagination--and that of the art admirer.

Making the creatures is just half the fun for Fenton. When completed, he photographs them to look larger than they are using power lines and trees strategically placed to create the illusion in the old "B" sci-fi movie style.

He also sells the photographic art.

Fenton's art has been used for haunted houses and Halloween events. He also lets people pose with his creatures for fun photographs.

The monsters have traveled to exhibits nationwide, as well as a display at Monroeville Mall and a visit to the Shadyside Summer ARts Festival. He is now working on projects to combine the features of dinosaurs and insects and create life forms that express a sense of humor.

The exhibit continues through Sept. 30 during business hours at S&T Bank, located at 12262 Frankstown Road, across from the Penn Hills Municipal Building.

The bank is open monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Each month, the bank features a different artist through a cooperative arrangement with Penn Art Association.

The exhibits not only acquaint patrons with local artists, but provide decoration for the bank, says Sue Turner, head teller.

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