Omar Marcoux. Sculptor. Woodcarver. Quebec and Concord, New Hampshire. Active 1930’s – .
Omar Marcoux was born in Quebec and moved to New Hampshire around 1930. He became famous in the 1930’s for his wood carvings – he was a noted carver of at least 60 different breeds of dogs. A collection of his carved dogs was displayed in 1937 at Washington in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He work is collected in several museums and collections in the U.S. as well as Canada. He was a carver of many other kinds of animals and Omar Marcoux was also known for making and repairing violins and for playing them – playing traditional music and songs of Quebec. Some examples of his work are shown.*
A pair of Oxen by Omar Marcoux:
Oxen by Omar Marcoux.
Another view of the pair of Oxen:
Oxen by Omar Marcoux.
A third view:
Oxen by Omar Marcoux.
From an article about Omar Marcoux; his art and his fiddling:
” Omer Marcoux was a fiddler and a woodcarver who lived in Concord. He was well known for his small
carvings of dogs and oxen. One of his carvings of a pair of oxen pulling a loaded log sled graced
Franklin Roosevelt’s desk in the White House. I knew him a bit as he joined other musicians playing
at parties. There was a small restaurant in Concord and Omer and friends often played at lunch time
in return fortips and lunch. Omer’s repertoire was unique and not particularly suited for dancing as
he only played atune for 3-4 rounds. He also was fairly irregular, drawing out a note or lopping off a
bar or two, especially at the endings. Since he played solo most of the time, this did not matter.
He would sometimes burst into song and always his playing was joyful.”
Omar Marcoux Playing the Violin:
Omar Marcoux. Playing the Violin..
*With grateful thanks for the assistance, and photos, of Mathieu Bourguet.
