Albert “Sonny” Heikkila grew up in Oulu, WI, and has been around wood and woodworking all his life. He got into carving after his uncle asked him for a ride over to the Northwoods Carving club one day, and then Sonny just kept coming. Sonny especially likes carving lamps and fish and since his uncle’s death, he has become the person who makes the blanks for others in the club. Sonny describes carving as a “family thing” and thinks that his Finnish heritage may be related to his interest.
Fieldwork conducted by Mirva Johnson with support from the Wisconsin Arts Board.