Monumental Woodworks entered Bastrop’s ever-expanding art scene in late November with a focus on turning flood-salvaged timber into lasting works of art.
The details
The Central Texas-based production company is rolling out The Heartwood Revival campaign.
The initiative, spurred by the July 2025 Guadalupe River flood, is crowdfunding $141,000 to commission chainsaw carvers to create a Sculpture Trail of Hope across Kerr and Kendall counties.
“I grew up on this river, so seeing its recovery is personal,” said Dusty Kosmach, project director for The Heartwood Revival, in a news release. “We are taking art therapy and turning it into a real economic driver that supports the families who live here.”
Donations can be made online.
Zooming in
Extreme Weather Service, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to climate recovery, will serve as a community liaison for The Heartwood Revival campaign to help determine the locations for each of the five sculptures—carved from 2,000-pound flood-salvaged cypress and pecan logs.
“These trees were more than features of the landscape; they were landmarks of cherished memories,” said Jeff Mohr, a lead artist for The Heartwood Revival, in a news release.
The outlook
Monumental Woodworks also unveiled plans to establish the Texas Chainsaw Art Festival in Bastrop—an event, scheduled for February 2027, where carvers from across the world are invited to create a permanent, 25-foot sculpture for the city.
"Our goal is to be the strategic partner for monumental art in Central Texas," Kosmach said. "We believe in building permanent public legacies that drive tourism and community pride."