< Back Bob LeClair For many years, Bob LeClair wondered if he could ever be an artist. Ironically, wonderment – his natural sense of curiosity – is what brought him there. “I have this kind of endless well of creative curiosity,” Bob said, “and when I make something, I really get a sense of well-being.” Likewise, people get a sense of well-being when they see the things that Bob creates. Bob is an artisan who specializes in woodworked automata, crafting mechanical toys ‘brought to life’ through manual activation, no electronics involved. “They’re wooden toys that I make, and you turn the crank and they do other things,” Bob said. When Bob shows his automata creations to anyone, young or old, smiles abound. Partly because of the fascination of watching intricate movements of individual pieces blending into a whole; and, largely because of the smile on Bob’s face, when he describes what he made, and the story behind it. “I love showing my work,” he said. “I love the idea that I had an idea, and I’ve seen it through.” Bob’s journey from creative curiosity to that sense of artistic well-being – seeing those smiles from people admiring his artistry – was not a short one. Bob grew up in Southwick, in a family that encouraged hands-on activity. “My father had a wood shop in his cellar, and would make things, like the kitchen table. My mother sewed and cooked, and she would get us involved in things like hooked rugs, and making apple-head dolls. “I enjoyed it. That sense of making something with your hands is pretty amazing.” His professional career path took him to a variety of jobs, among them production planning and landscaping, but the working-with-your-hands element was not a big factor for him career-wise. “It was when I knew that I was going to retire that I started doing a lot more art,” he said. At about that time, around eight years ago, a broken cuckoo clock sparked his curiosity and set his artistic instincts into full gear. “Cuckoo clocks had always fascinated me, how all the pieces worked,” he said. “I had picked up a cuckoo clock, and it didn’t work, so I went on YouTube to see how to fix it, and all this stuff comes up, how to fix things, and I’m like ‘What is this? What is that these people are making? “And that’s when I learned about automata.” So, Bob started making things. And more things. And when he found out that there was going to be an automata convention in New Jersey, he signed up. “It was crazy there,” he said. “It was insane. There were makers, collectors, and media. “I was a maker. And that’s when I looked around and I said ‘Oh my God! I am right at the level of these people. “And I came home, and I declared myself an artist.” Today, Bob, an Agawam resident, is a member of Agawam Community Artists and Artisans. Beyond what he contributes to the group artistically, Bob is part of the backbone that any organization such as ACAA requires to function: a person who is always willing to help in any circumstance, behind the scenes or in front of them. “I joined the group because I felt that I had just discovered myself as an artist, and I wanted to meet other people who had the same interests,” he said. He was one of the first artisans in the group, “then mostly artists, people who paint,” and the artists welcomed him with full brushstrokes of enthusiasm. “I promoted the artisan part of it. I would bring in things to show at meetings, and people were so hungry for it. I would show them a toy or something, that wasn’t a painting, and they would say ‘Oh, wow! That’s pretty cool!’” He has never forgotten that welcoming feeling, and thus gives back. “I want to see that group grow and do better,” he said. “So, I help where I can.” Bob has steadily grown artistically. Along with automata, he also works in varied other mediums – among them watercolor, acrylic, gel plate, fabric, and linocut printing. His versatility shows in that one of signature works is not automata. It is a sculptural bust, of Medusa, in which he combined a foam wig stand, wooden and rubber snakes, mastic, and a patina brass/paint effect to create a haunting work of art. There is Elbert Wiggleworth, made of clay, loosely named after a kid he knew growing up “who we called Wiggleworth.” Today, old Elbert Wiggleworth proudly sits on the introductory page of Bob’s artist website – www.elbertw.com – “because,” Bob said, “Elbert has many stories to tell about his world travels.” But while Bob’s pride shines through in his work in any medium, perhaps his first love is still his favorite: the automata. The wooden toys with the very human stories attached. There is, for instance, a piece he calls “Flying on Top of the World,” which he began making on the day he turned 60. “I decided ‘I’m not going to be bummed out by turning 60,’” he said. “Instead, I’m going to make myself a toy,” resulting in a work in which a turn of the crank causes the world to spin above a box, “and that’s me, on top of the world,” he said. There is Mordecai Whipple, riding his wagon through the Old West, selling anything and everything. Where did that name come from? One of Bob’s aunts had a last name of Whipple; and one of Bob’s relatives was Luigi Curto of Springfield, a “little person” who, under the stage name of Billy Curtis, had an extensive film career that included a role as a Munchkin in “The Wizard of Oz”, and a featured role in Clint Eastwood’s “High Plains Drifter” in which his name was … Mordecai. And, there is the piece that Bob no longer has. A special piece, with a special story. “I made it for my brother. We’re a year apart, and we always had a rivalry growing up. Brothers. “We got along much better as we got older. And I decided that I’m going to make him a piece. He likes to ice fish. So I made this whole design of how to make this little ice fisherman, that pulls the fish out. “He loves it. He absolutely treasures it. And someday, one of his children will take that piece, and know that it came from me.” He paused, perhaps pondering how just how far he has come, from that convention in New Jersey. “My pieces will outlive me,” he said. “They’re my legacy.”

Registration Form 2026 Pioneer Valley Art Festival 6th annual Agawam Polish American Club 139 Southwick Street, Feeding Hills, Massachusetts Festival Dates & Times Friday – August 21, 2026 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday – August 22, 2026 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM First name* Last name* Multi-line address Country/Region* Address* City* Zip / Postal code* Email* Phone* Artisan work must be original and handmade by the artisan , of professional quality. No kits, food, soap or candles. Prints and giclees accepted. No AI accepted. The ACAA reserves the right to accept a limited number of exhibitors with similar products and the right to limit your display to your juried work Categories* Are you a member of ACAA Agawam Community Artists and Artisans* Yes No I wish to donate a PIECE OF ART to the “Gloria McLellan Scholarship” art auction. This auction will benefit high school seniors pursuing a career in the arts.* Yes No I would like to participate in a demonstration of my art* Yes No Submit Support This program is supported in part by a grant from the Agawam Cultural Council , a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council , a state agency.

< Back BOB LECLAIR Mediums / Interests: MIXED MEDIA Bob LeClair is a versatile, multi-disciplinary artisan whose creative curiosity knows no bounds. Working in pastels, acrylics, and watercolor, Bob brings color and emotion to every painting he creates. His talents also extend into woodworking, where he enjoys crafting whimsical automata toys, as well as exploring applied fabric arts, gel plate printing, paper flowers, jewelry, and whatever new medium captures his imagination. Now retired, Bob relies on art to keep him inspired, engaged, and joyfully busy. He is an active member of the local art group A.C.A.A., where he values being part of a vibrant and supportive community of fellow artists. Bob continues to embrace each new project with enthusiasm, letting his creative spirit lead the way. ROBCHARLES123@YAHOO.COM Next

< Back CRAIG KLAFETA Mediums / Interests: INK, CASEIN, ACRYLIC Next

< Back DONNA HURLBUT Mediums / Interests: MIXED MEDIA Next

Junk Journals- Part 2 04/25/26 Arnie Paye & Donna Roy Price $30 Up Enroll Classes are Held at The Daily Grind 568 College Hwy, Southwick, MA. Saturday 10:30 - 1:30 Using an old recycled book, attendees will make a Long Stitch Portfolio sketchbook that is refillable and portable, for drawing out and about. Materials list attached. It is helpful but not necessary to have the taken the first Junk Journal class. 1. Attendees will create a refillable and portable field sketchbook using an upcycled old hard cover book. 2. Learn how to remove the old book block and reinforce the book spine. 3. Learn the steps to create the pattern, punch holes and sew the binding 4. Cut paper to size for the two book signatures Please bring the following supplies - An old book approximately 9" x 6" with a spine no larger than 1" or 1.5" (you will be deconstructing this book) -12" x16" pad of your favorite sketch, mixed media or watercolor paper -One roll of decorative duct tape -Craft round elastic (3.6mm) like the kind used in kids' crafts and hair ties. (Can be found at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart with several colors on a card. - Awl for punching binding holes - instructor will have some for sharing - Cutting mat (like quilters use) or surface to cut on - An old towel, piece of thick rigid foam or cardboard -Bone folder OR old butter knife with smooth edge - Metal ruler (12-18" with no cork on bottom -Carpenter's L square OR 10" Drafting Triangle (any angle) - Olfa knife or small Exacto knife -Pencil and eraser Sharpe marker Artist / Instructor: Arnie Paye & Donna Roy Enroll

Pioneer Valley Art Show, Day 2 August 22, 2026 at 2:00:00 PM

Acrylic Painting Techniques Class January 10, 2026 at 3:30:00 PM

Making Paper Flower Class March 28, 2026 at 2:30:00 PM

Junk Journals, Session 2 April 25, 2026 at 2:30:00 PM

< Back URSULA SMITH Mediums / Interests: OIL, JEWLERY Next

< Back KIMBERLY CARUSO-POLEY Mediums / Interests: MIXED MEDIA, FUSED GLASS Next