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Bodacious Backyard Burning: The Stove Party at the Commuter Gallery

Until last night I had no idea. But if Chris knows you, do what he says.

It would have been way easier to stay home and watch TV and I'd cleaned the gutters and was sore, and I'd eaten too much spaghetti, and whine, whine, whine ... but Chris said, "This will blow your mind. 25th edition of the Stove Party, this place is magic."


This is a backyard near Toco Hills. Understatement: Clark Ashton is an artist, musician, stove builder, proprietor of a sculpture garden, and thrower of bodcious parties.

IMG_4850 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
So I had my picture taken with the steel cycling skeleton.

IMG_4864 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
Because even though I was there, I just couldn't believe this place. There's this tower with two stoves as you enter the back yard.

IMG_4846 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
Folks milled around among sculptures and stoves from hot spot to hot spot.

IMG_4841 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton Macon teacher Joe Finkelstein 
Even those not smiling were in a good mood. I met Mr. Finkelstein (the teacher) from Macon and many others.

20141122_222653 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
Of course there was a bluegrass band in the workshop.

IMG_4858 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
And a rock 'n' roll band in the rock 'n' roll room.

IMG_4842 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
And there were sculptures everywhere.

IMG_4840 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
There was no bad place to be.

IMG_4844 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
You could always find a warm place and a warmhearted person.

IMG_4860 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
Statues and shadows and steeples.

IMG_4863 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
They dialed a few stoves to "11."

IMG_4862 2014-11-22 The Stove Party at The Commuter Gallery by Clark Ashton
I had no idea.

Thanks Chris.