The Art of the Pedestal: Crafting Cottonwood Limestone for Eden Gallery, Aspen
There’s something profound about working with stone—about shaping a material that has existed for millions of years, revealing its unique character, and watching it come to life in the light. Recently, we had the privilege of crafting Cottonwood limestone art pedestals for Eden Gallery Aspen’s upcoming show, Unperfect—a celebration of natural materials and the beauty of imperfection.
This project was more than just fabrication; it was an exploration. Each pedestal had its own distinct texture and color variations, making the process of selecting the stone an adventure in itself. The natural veining, the subtle shifts in tone—these are the elements that tell a hidden story, the whispers of time embedded in each block. As the show’s theme suggests, imperfection is not a flaw but an essence—something to be embraced, honored, and showcased.
Shaping a single pedestal was no small feat. Some weighed over 1,000 pounds before we carefully cored them out to lighten the load. The physicality of the work—chiseling, shaping, and polishing—brought us into direct conversation with the material. Every strike of the chisel, every smoothing pass of the polisher, revealed more of the stone’s truth…(stone is hard, gorgeous and worth it!)
In working on these pedestals, something unexpected happened: my perspective on art and creation shifted. The sheer effort and patience required to transform raw limestone into something refined changed how I think and feel about making art. The process is not just about the end result; it’s about the journey—one of discovery, respect, and deep connection with the material.
Seeing these pedestals stand in the gallery, ready to support and frame other works of art, is a powerful reminder that even the structures that hold the art are part of the story. They are not just platforms; they are pieces of art themselves, reflecting the raw beauty of nature and the hands that shaped them.
Unperfect is more than a show; it’s a philosophy, a way of seeing the world and the objects within it. And for us, these pedestals are more than just stone—they are evidence of labor, of transformation, and of the undeniable beauty found in imperfection.
The Process
We wrestled a giant piece of earth and then drove it up i70 thru the mountains of Colorado. Only to wrestle it once again thru a glass filled second floor art gallery with a pallet jack and a lot of hands 🙌 a lot of hands wrestled these stones, we are so grateful for the help!! We still can’t believe we pulled this off! But we love it!!!
We made 3 Cottonwood Limestone Pedestals for the show “Unperfect” at Eden Art Gallery in Aspen. The show is using natural materials to show the truth in imperfection
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone that made this happen, The Rock Garden, Fort Collins as well as our on site delivery crew Coyot3Wild and Brian for your help. We definitely had the kind of experience that you want to have in life. The one that makes you smile all the way home!
Enhance Your Art Display with Custom Stone Pedestals
Looking to add a timeless, elegant touch to your art collection, gallery, or home? Our custom-built stone pedestals are designed to perfectly complement your space and showcase your pieces with sophistication.
Each pedestal is handcrafted to order, ensuring the ideal size, style, and finish to meet your specific needs. When you reach out to us, we’ll collaborate with you to create a pedestal that not only enhances your display but also provides the perfect support for your artwork.
Contact Stone2Furniture today to start designing your custom pedestal!