World-renowned local artist to have eagle displayed in Vevay

(VEVAY, Ind.) – A Switzerland County resident who’s a world-renowned wildlife artist will have his work on public display beginning Friday. 

James Day makes ‘re-creation art’ where he sculpts life-like eagles without using anything from the real bird.

It’s a lengthy process where he constructs the body and then paints and airbrushes nearly 2,000 feathers to recreate a real eagle. 

He created the technique in the 1980’s and is one of only a few people in the United States who make a living through this artform. 

His work is displayed in museums, nature centers, company lobbies and private collections around the world. 

The East Enterprise resident even spent a month in China in the 2000's to construct an exhibit.

Last year, he was invited to the White House where he delivered one of his re-creation eagles to President Donald Trump’s chief of staff. 

"It was on display in the Oval Office and I was most recently told that the President requested it be moved to his private dining room,” Day said. 

For the First Time

Although his artwork has traveled the globe, Jim has never had the opportunity to display it locally. 

That will change beginning Friday when his Golden Eagle re-creation exhibit will open at the Community Art Center of Switzerland County.

There will be a ceremony open to the public from 6-9 p.m. and the Community Art Center is located at 217 Ferry Street in Vevay. 

The ceremony will be an opportunity to see this unique artwork up close while being able to talk with Day about the process. 

“The reason I decided to do this is to encourage more people to visit the Community Art Center and hopefully draw more attention to other local artists who also have work displayed there,” Day told The 812. 

While organizers are hoping to greet many new visitors tomorrow, the golden eagle will be on display at the Community Art Center for the foreseeable future.

You can follow the Community Art Center of Switzerland County on Facebook by clicking here.