Carve Aid Charity Benefit photo

Ed and his heads

Tiki carver Ed Volannino was at the Merritt Square Mall last weekend working on his Carve Aid project — a charity benefit for abused children.

Theresa DeCapua / Cape Publications

Tiki talk

I am trying to locate a person who chisels tikis from palm trees. I would like a tiki for a Christmas gift and would appreciate it if you could find such a craftsman in our area.

R.S. Matanic — Melbourne

There are several tiki carvers in the area, who can take the trunk of a palm tree and turn it into an unusual piece of art.

Ed Volannino of Merritt Island was responsible for banding some of the artists together in Melbourne to do a fund raiser for the Brevard County Child Protection Team. The owner of Ed's Heads of Indialantic said he sculpts stone and driftwood as well as tiki idols. He also can supply you with the names of other area artists who practice the craft.

For information contact Volannino at 459-3779 or 725-2194.