Ed revisits his alma mater in 1983, and a clip from Brevard Live 2003

Sculptor visits CBHS

By Robin Thomas

Artist Ed Volonnino presented one of his sculptures to CBHS November 29, 1983, to encourage students to pursue their ambitions in carving and other forms of art.

Many of Mr. Volonnino's tikis can be seen at Holiday Inns, restaurants, and at the Crossway Inn in Cocoa Beach where he is currently working. He has been sculpting for five to six years beginning when he was in high school.

"I sculpted clay heads in school. I knew I was good since I had sold some to teachers. After graduating, I became serious about it and started demonstrations in 1979," Mr. Volonnino commented.

Prices of Tiki carvings vary and can take up to any amount of time to complete. "It depends on the detail, how hard the wood is and many times, what kind of mood I'm in," he explained.

Mr. Volonnino, seen sculpting along Eau Gallie Causeway and recently in the school's C-wing, gave a Tiki carving to the school. He stressed, "I want it to give encouragement to kids to do their own thing if they feel they are good enough."

Helping Ed Volonnino finish his tiki creation, Adam Williams enjoys the experience of watching a professional at work.

INSPIRED!

Who inspired Tiki sculptor Ed Volonnino (of Ed's Heads) to paint his Tikis? No other than Leon Russell. Ed met the rock star at the former Brassy's in Cocoa Beach at a concert in 1984 and gave him one of his Tikis as a present. A few months later he got a call from Leon asking Ed if he could paint the Tiki and use it for the album cover "Solid State". Ed said "yes", the rest is history...