Hilton Head Monthly Features Daufuskies Own Chase Allen

Iron man: Daufuskie artist forges ahead with ornament project Monday, 29 November 2010 10:10 Take a talented Daufuskie Island artist and mix him with the students at Daufuskie Island Elementary School and the result is a collection of whimsical, colorful hand-crafted ornaments. For the past four years, Chase Allen of Iron Fish Art has provided 500 hand-cut fish ornaments for students to decorate. The ornaments are donated to the staff of Volunteers in Medicine, who glitter, wire and package the colorful artwork for sale at $10 each. The artist knows firsthand the value of the free medical care provided by Volunteers in Medicine. “Before I got health insurance, I used VIM,” Allen said. “I don’t know what I would have done without them.” Allen has been creating iron fish, mermaids and crab sculptures on Daufuskie since 2001, and his work has been featured in national publications including Coastal Living and Southern Living. “I love getting the kids involved on this project,” said Allen. “It’s important that they learn at a young age the importance of helping your community.” Details: 843-681-6122, ironfishart.com