At the next Live@Lanier, which will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, guests will have a chance to enter an animal kingdom where they may be amazed at what an artist can find in stone, organizers said.

In recent years, there have been polar bears, a gorilla, elephants, bats, and more; most recently Hellbenders, and currently, red wolves that survive only in coastal North Carolina.

Sculptor Dale Weiler and his wife, Loti Woods, will share their passion for the outdoors, learning about wildlife and saving it. Through their joint effort of “Weiler Woods for Wildlife,” Dale’s sculptures bring awareness and funding to wildlife conservation from the Foothills to beyond.

Today, 15 of his 70 wildlife pieces are in museums, and many others are with private collectors. People may see his “Tails to Rails” on Trade Street in Tryon, for instance.

His “Hellbender’s Rock” is a focal point at the renovated Hellbender’s exhibit at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. It started as 400 pounds of alabaster and evolved into an icon of a rare species of giant salamander.

“Mostly, we will focus on North Carolina,” Woods said about the couple’s program at Lanier. “We’ll be bringing a Hellbender nest box, showing a short film on Hellbenders and presenting where Dale is in his new red wolf sculpture.”

Also, the audience can learn more about the talent, process and tools of a very dusty art.

“Art for Wildlife Conservation” is the first in the Felburn Nature and Wildlife Collection series. Members and visitors can browse the collection at The Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut St., Tryon.

For more information, people may call 828-859-9535 or visit thelanierlibrary.org.

– Submitted by Vincent Verrecchio