On Saturday, Aug 25, the Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 in Gray is hosting a chainsaw art exhibit with Maine artist Ron Carlson.

Carlson began woodcarving in the mid-1960s and enjoyed the hobby until the early 1990s when a friend introduced him to the chainsaw. The speed and versatility of chainsaw cutting amazed him, and his lifelong hobby became his business in 1993.

Thousands of pieces later, he now specializes in carving bears because they’re fun to make and a challenge to give personality and character to, Carlson said.

Carlson has carved almost every animal, abstracts, and all sorts of strange custom requests from airplanes, to the Seven Dwarfs, to giant gorillas on safari. He has shipped his art to a dozen countries worldwide.

Admission to the park is free for ages 3 and under; $4 ages 5-12; $6 for adults, and $4.50 for seniors. Groups of 15 or more are $3 per person.