USWA Artists Share Their Talent
The Art of Giving
Scrimshaw, the only art form recognized as originating in Americana, was first practiced by whalers off the Nantucket shore approximately 200 years ago. Out at sea, the fishermen would pass time by carving pictures into the pure ivory of whale teeth and filling them in with ink.
Local 207 President Frank Cline, a 21-year tire builder at Findlay, Ohio’s Cooper Tire plant practices the art of scrimshawing in his spare time.
Ken Chorba, a former steward and active member of Local 207, practices a much more ancient art – the well-known art of tattooing. He maintains a studio in Findlay where he receives clients on a referral basis only. In fact, many of his clients are also his co-workers.
Both artists take exceptional pride in the fact that their art is completely original. “A lot of studios take a ‘fast-food’ approach to tattooing,” says Chorba, “We really care about what we do, and believe me – the little things count.”
Cline and Chorba have been making the “little things” count in their community for several years, now. Cline gets satisfaction from donating his scrimshaw to various charities, which auction them off at prices ranging from $160 to over $600.
“We aren’t doing this for money,” says Cline, “the appreciation people show is pay enough.” “Sometimes the charities that show the most appreciation are the ones that make least amount of money on a piece,” he said.
Chorba recently designed a Local 207 patch that was sold for the Hancock County March of Dimes. Sales of the patch raised approximately $2500 for the charity.
“Our brothers and sisters see guys like us participating in charity events, and it does out local good. It does the community good, and more of our members join in every year,” Chorba said.
“When we went out (on strike,) it was unbelieveable,” says Chorba, “the neighbors would bring coffee to the picket line at 4 a.m.”
Both artists believe labor unions should lead the way in making our neighborhoods a better place.
“We believe that giving has a snowball effect,” says Cline, “the more good we can do in our community, the better off we’ll all be in the long run.”