Ernie Mills is a third-generation decoy carver from the Delmarva (DE, MD & VA) Peninsula,
an area rich in decoy history. At an early age, he was taught to carve
by his grandfather in North Carolina. Today, in Perry, Georgia, he continues to
carry on the tradition of making working decoys, using the tools and methods of "a time past."
Ernie teaches campers how to make many types of decoys. His examples are included in collections and hunting rigs throughout the U.S., and also in other countries of the world.
News Release from the Southern
Arts Federation August 25, 2006: Perry, GA Decoy Maker Showcased on Regional Artist Registry
"Decoy maker Ernie Mills has been selected as September's spotlight artist on
www.SouthernArtistry.org. One of over 500
Southern artists and groups profiles on this adjudicated, online registry, Mills
uses a hatchet and other hand tools to carve each of his bird and fish decoys.
He has taught decoy carving classes at the University of Georgia and at schools
and camps in North Carolina, and has carved decoys on commission for Ducks
Unlimited fundraising events and the Smithsonian Institute.
'Ernie Mills was juried and selected be the Georgia Council for the Arts to join
SouthernArtistry.org based on the outstanding quality of his work. The Southern
Arts Federation hopes that this spotlight will bring more visibility to an
artist that is doing such good work in our region." said Hannah Leatherbury,
SoutherArtistry.org program manager."
