| View Work | Artists | |
 Frank Fusco |
Frank Fusco has led an eclectic life. He first
discovered the world of creativity when, at age 13, he began a career as
a professional newspaperman. After high school, some college and four
years in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to his native Illinois hometown
and worked, once again, for the newspaper where he started. Later he became the editor for a chain of sixteen Chicago area suburban newspapers, and then moved on to the Chicago Tribune. At the Tribune he covered and photographed everything from Presidents to murdered children. After several brushes with death during the 1960’s civil rights riot years he and his bride moved to southern Indiana and went into the retail business. |
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While in Indiana he opened a muzzle loading rifle shop and became a
student and reenactor of the American Revolution. To this day, he
uses the ‘handle’ of Rifleman 1776 and continues to reenact the
Revolutionary Rifleman. Moving his family to Arkansas in 1976 he engaged in several vocations including property management and raising Maine-Anjou cattle. The Fusco’s had three children. Evan, who is a physician living and working in the Springfield, Missouri area; Brent, who was an exceptionally talented writer but passed away at age 27 in 1996; and Danielle, the ‘surprise’ child, twenty years junior to big brother, Evan. Once Danielle headed out to a new life married to her high school sweetheart, Frank found time to officially retire and pursue other avocations. Woodworking and turning take up part of almost every day. Writing is also a passion for Frank. He is working on his third novel, has had articles, essays and poetry published. The Fusco’s home, set in a semi-rural location in the woods several miles south of Mountain Home is a perfect setting for relaxing and concentrating on either woodturning or writing. The pens at ArtSpace are just some of the woodwork and turning that Frank enjoys doing. He likes making pens because they are both useful and a challenge. A fine pen is not just a writing instrument but for the owner, a statement that they enjoy fine things. Additionally, a turned, handcrafted pen is usually made from materials that will never be found in mass produced items. Frank uses woods from Arkansas and around the world. Some of his favorites include burls from many different woods, Bethlehem Olive wood (the Holy Land wood), African Blackwood (a relative of ebony), the ironwoods, Osage Orange and many others. On request, Frank will turn pens with ‘heritage’ woods. These pens are from wood that has special meaning to individuals. It might come from sources like great-granddads barn, the fireplace mantle in the old family homestead, or a tree with historic meaning that has died. History and nostalgia can live in such pens. Only rarely will he make pens from non-wood material but will consider doing so on request. He is a member of the Ozark Wood Turners, The Pen Shop and the International Association of Penturners. As a writer he is a member of Twin Lakes Writers, Ozark Writers League and Ozark Creative Writers. |
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Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
501.324.ARTS (2787)
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