Randall Zahn

Randy Zahn was born and raised in Door County, WI and grew up on the farm next door to the 1883 Albert Zahn Sr. Homestead, also known as Silverdew. In 1972 he purchased the property of the homestead and became the fifth generation to live on the Zahn homestead in Baileys Harbor, where he and his wife raised their two daughters. He worked in the Door County manufacturing and tourism industries until his retirement in 2018.

Randy was always fascinated with his great grandfather Albert’s work. As a child he would pick up wood scraps and attempt to whittle; and still has the scars on his knuckles to show for it. He has been carving continuously through the years but started seriously carving in the early 1990’s. All Randy’s carvings are made from local cedar, tin, and wire; and hand painted with mainly primary colors. He has carved a wide array of things including birds, figures, animals, stars, boats, and bird stands. His carvings have been sold at local shops and art shows over the years. Randy’s work has been shown in Wisconsin New Month Magazine, a PBS children’s show featuring “Traditions,” the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago, and was part of the I’ll Fly Away exhibit at the Kohler Arts Center in 2003.