Hello

My name is Gene Delcourt. I am the founder of Humble Crossings, and I'm honored that you are here checking out my work.

The story of Humble Crossings started in 1989 when my father passed away. At that point in my life, I had no experience dealing with death or funerals or anything like that. So, I did what I thought I was supposed to do and went to a funeral home in my hometown. The man working there was someone I had known my whole life, someone whose children I went to school with. Nevertheless, all I got from him was the business spiel and a bill for $10,000 dollars. Even in grief, it was clear that was wrong and predatory, and I knew I wanted to do something about it one day.

Years later, I got involved in a home funeral and green burial conference. The presentations taught me a lot about the burial laws in different states, including Wisconsin, where I live. I learned that you don't actually need a funeral home for ANY aspect of a funeral. As it turns out, all of the paperwork can be obtained online, and with a little guidance, you can make your own arrangements for burial.

My mission is to help people put their loved ones to rest on their own terms, in a sustainable way, and without cleaning out their savings.

My Story

Gene Delcourt, a native of Maine, moved to the Wisconsin area in 1988 after spending ten years in the U.S. armed forces. Since moving to Wisconsin, he has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Anthropology and a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree with an emphasis on wood sculpture. Interestingly enough, his degrees are all intertwined. While student teaching at Malcolm Shabazz High School in 1991, it was clear to Delcourt that it was there that he wanted to spend his career as a teacher. While waiting for an opening to occur in the school, Delcourt applied to the Graduate program at the UW-Madison Art Department and was accepted.

It was during this time that his creative talents were nurtured and developed. Besides taking studio classes, he participated in numerous snow sculpting competitions as a member of a Native team captained by Ho-Chunk artist Harry Whitehorse. Mr. Whitehorse played a major role in Delcourt actualizing his vision as an artist. Delcourt learned of a wood sculpture symposium in Denmark and Harry encouraged him to apply. Following that symposium, he was invited to participate in seven wood sculpting symposiums in France, Germany, Denmark and Wisconsin, winning a People’s Choice Award at the First Annual Symposium Sur Bois in Morteau, France and another People’s Choice Award at the Second Annual Wood Sculpture Symposium in Oneida, Wisconsin.

In 2000, he received a commission to create a large sculpture which now adorns the front of the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe’s casino in northern Wisconsin. As founder of the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival, Delcourt is finally realizing his dream of organizing an international symposium in the United States with the intention of honoring his mentor and bringing legitimacy to the artform of wood sculpture.

CURRICULUM VITA

EDUCATION:

1995 MFA, University of Wisconsin-Madison

1992 BA-Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Broad Field Social Studies

1992 BA- Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison,

AWARDS, EXHIBITS, SYMPOSIUMS:

2023 Earth Connections Art Exhibit, Verona, WI

2022 9th Annual International Horster Bildhauer Symposium, Horsten, Germany

2022 Crossing the River Art Exhibit, Madison, WI

2019 Phoenix from the Ashes Art Exhibit, Madison, WI

2006 One and Only Art Exhibit, Kohler, WI

2005 Deep Fried Connundrums Art Exhibit, Madison, WI

2003 Square Hands Art Exhibit, Madison, WI

2002 People’s Choice Award: 2nd Annual Oneida International Wood Sculpture Symposium. Oneida, WI

1996 People’s Choice Award: Symposium Sur Bois, Morteau, France

1994 5th Annual Camille Claudel International Wood Sculpture Symposium, Marie de La'Bresse festival, La Bresse, France.

1994 People’s Choice Award: Symposium Sur Bois, Morteau, France

1994 People’s Choice Award: Milwaukee's 15th Annual International Snow Sculpture Symposium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1993 People’s Choice Award: Hojer Internationale Traekulptur Symposium Hojer, Denmark

1993 People’s Choice Award: Frankenmuth's 1st Annual International Snow Sculpture Symposium, Frankenmuth, Michigan

1993 People’s Choice Award: Milwaukee's 14th Annual International Snow Sculpture Symposium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1992 People’s Choice Award: Milwaukee's 13th Annual International Snow Sculpture Symposium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

COMMISSIONS:

2023 Private Art Commission: A Wedding Gift. Horsten, Germany

2005 Private Art Commission: Great Blue Heron in the Garden. Outdoor sculpture. Belleville, WI

2004 Private Art Commission: Mother Earth Held Up by Her Children. La Bresse, France

2000 Public Art Commission: Clans of the Anishinabe. Outdoor sculpture. Lac du Flambeau Casino, Lac du Flambeau, WI

1998 Private Art Commission: Little Bear. Janesville, WI

1997 Private Art Commission: Eagle Soaring. Waunakee WI

1996 Private Art Commission: Monona Bear. Monona, WI

1994 Public Art Commission: Spirit in Oak. DeForest, WI

COLLECTIONS:

Public Collection: Peace Tree. Malcolm Shabazz City High School. Madison, Wisconsin
Private Collection: Generations. Florentina Hennings, Lake Forest, California
Private Collection: Whirlwind Dreamer. Tina Frailey, Madison, Wisconsin
Private Collection: As in a Dream. Steve Young, Madison, WI
Private Collection: Ogichida. Villers Le Lac, France
Private Collection: Hand With a Feather. Kurt Lohmeier, Snowflake, Arizona
Private Collection: Butternut Abstract. Helen Klebesadel, Madison, WI