CHICO — Chico artist Bernard Vigallon is doing what he loves with his art while at the same time helping others.
Vigallon constructs birdhouses, which are currently on display and for sale at Upper Crust Bakery and Eatery on Main Street in downtown Chico.
“I don’t consider myself an artist, but I enjoy making birdhouses,” Vigallon said. He has been building birdhouses for close to 25 years.
Vigallon said he has always been into working with wood, which he did on part time when he was working full time as principal at Fairview High School. He has made picnic tables and Adirondack chairs.
He made 25 to 30 birdhouses and sold all of them for a Paradise Mother’s Day event at his wife’s friend’s house. He donated the money for scholarships to students at Fairview High.
“I like working with wood,” Vigallon said. “Each birdhouse has its own story.”
He used to use only wood for the birdhouse roofs but now uses metal, which he said makes the life span of the birdhouses a lot greater. The sides and front and back are all made from wood. He makes four to five houses at one time, with different styles for different occasions.
“I like the challenge; it’s interesting and keeps me busy,” he said. “It’s like therapy.”
Vigallon has a shop for making birdhouses in the carport of his garage. He retired from working as principal at Fairview in 2011 and is now able to concentrate on his art full time.
“I always worked so much and didn’t have a chance to make the birdhouses,” Vigallon said. “Now that I am retired I choose as much time as I want to be out there.”
The birdhouses are also sold in Chico at Magnolia Gift and Garden, 1367 East Ave.; the Fair Earth Nursery, 2234 Park Ave.; and the Plant Barn and Gifts; 406 Entler Ave.; and in Durham at the Patrick Ranch Museum, 10381 Midway.
Vigallon said many years ago the previous owner of Upper Crust got ahold of him after seeing the birdhouses at an October show and asked him to display his art there.
His wife and daughter are birders, but he is not. His daughter is a wildlife specialist.
Vigallon said people brought mementos who had lost homes in Paradise. He made a replica of a house there. He also made one for a dentist with dentist tools and a replica of a church.
The birdhouse prices range from $80 to $220.
70 to 80% of the birdhouse proceeds go to alternative education students. Vigallon finds out about these students in need through the grapevine to help students who are struggling with rent or help them buy tires for a car.
“I believe it all comes back,” he said. “It’s karma. When you are in a position to help someone you help them.”
