{"id":192326,"date":"2025-09-30T13:12:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T13:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/192326\/"},"modified":"2025-09-30T13:12:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T13:12:18","slug":"a-lancaster-county-sculptor-crafted-eccentric-birds-for-decades-where-will-his-work-go-now-local-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/192326\/","title":{"rendered":"A Lancaster County sculptor crafted eccentric birds for decades; Where will his work go now? | Local News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tom Kloss will not confess, even in the privacy of his at-home gallery, which of the sculptures from his 40-year career he likes best.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re all my favorites,\u201d Tom said on an afternoon in August, standing before an army of colorful, human-sized wooden carvings. \u201cThat\u2019s why I hate to lose any of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

It could be the snake rake \u2014 a squiggly striped snake, several feet tall, with a comb-like base for the impractical, imaginary purpose of finding snakes hidden in grass. Or maybe it\u2019s the angel whose wings have motors \u201cjust in case,\u201d or the flying fish with propellers. Or perhaps \u201cHarley Hog,\u201d a pig decked out in the style of a motorcycle.<\/p>\n

How long did it take Kloss, 84, to make his wood-and-metal sculptures?.<\/p>\n

\u201c84 years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

By spring, Tom Kloss and his wife, Carol, have to decide which sculptures to keep of the dozens that live in their private gallery on the lower level of their West Lampeter Township home. When the Homestead Village retirement community opens its new Townstead Apartments next year in East Hempfield Township, the couple will move in. They will go from three floors of space to one. Most of Tom\u2019s pieces will likely go to auction. A few will go to close friends.<\/p>\n

Standing amid his creations, Tom Kloss pointed out which ones he plans to take with him. Carol Kloss, 82, interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, no, no, no,\u201d she said. \u201cYou don\u2019t have room, unless you are trying to sleep in the hallway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have a big bathroom,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll sleep in the tub.\u201d<\/p>\n

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READ:\u00a0Lititz Parkwalk 2025: See a sneak peek of art on display<\/a><\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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A program book from Tom Kloss\u2019s collection, as he talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and hope to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom and Carol Kloss show photographs as he talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside their home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The couple is preparing to move to a retirement community and hopes to place some of Tom\u2019s sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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A photograph from Tom Kloss\u2019s collection, as he talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and hope to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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A photograph from Tom Kloss\u2019s collection, as he talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and hope to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Letters and posters from Tom Kloss\u2019s collection, Arte on the Wall, are displayed as he talks about and shows his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and hope to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, as his wife, Carol Kloss, looks on in the background. The couple is preparing to move to a retirement community and hopes to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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A program book from Tom Kloss\u2019s collection, as he talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and hope to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom and Carol Kloss show photographs as he talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside their home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The couple is preparing to move to a retirement community and hopes to place some of Tom\u2019s sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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A photograph from Tom Kloss\u2019s collection, as he talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and hope to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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A photograph from Tom Kloss\u2019s collection, as he talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and hope to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and are hoping to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Letters and posters from Tom Kloss\u2019s collection, Arte on the Wall, are displayed as he talks about and shows his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Tom and his wife, Carol Kloss, are preparing to move to a retirement community and hope to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

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Tom Kloss talks about and displays his remaining sculptures in the private gallery inside his home in West Lampeter Township on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, as his wife, Carol Kloss, looks on in the background. The couple is preparing to move to a retirement community and hopes to place some of his sculptures with friends or have them auctioned off.<\/p>\n

Birds around the world<\/p>\n

Tom Kloss\u2019 birds, his signature, are everywhere.<\/p>\n

Carol Cooper, 85, of New York City, met Tom and Carol Kloss decades ago, during a visit to a juried craft show in Lancaster. When she saw Tom Kloss\u2019 birds, Cooper stopped in her tracks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just died and went to Heaven,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cI said to my husband, \u2018We\u2019re not going any further. This is it. I have to have (them).\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

She collected several birds over the years, but most are gone now. Cooper sold them as she got older, her husband died, and she ran out of space in her small city apartment. She gifted her last and favorite bird to her daughter, who now lives in the Turks and Caicos islands. Cooper said the islands are where the bird, vibrant pink, yellow and blue, belongs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re happy,\u201d Cooper said, with \u201cthey\u201d being her daughter and her beloved bird.<\/p>\n

Tom Kloss\u2019 work has appeared at countless art shows and galleries over the years, in major U.S. cities and the Caribbean islands. A quick Google search reveals their presence, ranging in height and color, on auction sites across the country.<\/p>\n

For a time, Californians bought Tom Kloss\u2019 birds, engineered to be wind-sensitive, because their movements would signal earthquakes before they arrived. A woman from Canberra, Australia, once bought six wooden birds from his former studio, even though it meant the pieces would be quarantined for six months to ensure no invasive bugs came with her. Other works went to a children\u2019s center in Tel Aviv, Israel, and to a doctor in Scotland. In 1990, a sculpture was featured in the film \u201cMen Don\u2019t Leave\u201d with actor Jessica Lange. Tom Kloss\u2019 handmade ornaments have found their way onto White House Christmas trees.<\/p>\n

The artist still has the thank-you letters from former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, much like he still has decades\u2019 worth of sculptures: birds, snakes, fish, hogs, cats, rats, humans, sheep, a \u201cperfectly useless\u201d chair mounted sideways on the wall. He keeps everything, no matter how strange.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd sometimes multiples of everything, which is why it\u2019s going to be really, really hard to move him out of this house,\u201d Carol Kloss said.<\/p>\n

Tom Kloss has often made his way down to the gallery, taking a chair lift since the couple no longer uses stairs, to sort through seven crates filled with his mementos. Boxes of unfinished pieces, including one filled with model human heads, sit abandoned. Still, Carol Kloss has yet to see him actually throw anything away.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the term is \u2018pack rat,\u2019\u201d Tom Kloss said.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

READ:\u00a0Late Lancaster Country Day teacher, ceramic artist to be remembered at art exhibit, sale<\/a><\/p>\n

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Creating his own world<\/p>\n

When Tom Kloss graduated from McCaskey High School in 1959, he said, he had two options: continue his education or serve in the Vietnam War.<\/p>\n

He chose the former. At Millersville University (then Millersville State College), he pursued an arts and crafts minor. He took every art class they had two to three times, took five attempts at a required math class and somehow managed to fit in ornithology (the study of birds, which came in handy later).<\/p>\n

After graduation, Tom Kloss spent a few years teaching in Lancaster County before he dedicated a decade to the real estate business. Still, his passion, which began at 4 years old when he made his own toys out of Plasticine clay, beckoned him.<\/p>\n

In 1967, Tom Kloss, who had taken up pottery, and Carol Kloss, a skilled painter, weaver and schoolteacher, opened a craft shop in Paradise Township. They mostly sold their own work, along with some pieces from local artists. But five years later, a hurricane flooded the store. It destroyed everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, back in 1980, I decided to go back into what I did best,\u201d Tom Kloss said. \u201cCreating my own world.\u201d<\/p>\n

For decades, the couple operated out of a 3,200-square-foot studio and gallery on their Paradise property. People from around the world stopped by to look at and purchase their artwork. Tom Kloss\u2019 sculptures grew more and more eccentric. He crafted 12-foot fish. He made life-size geese to prove to skeptics that he could master realism, too. After a heart attack in 1985, he found creative ways to incorporate wheels into his pieces for easy transport.<\/p>\n

Ed and Andriana Drogaris of Lancaster Township first encountered Tom Kloss\u2019 work at the Long\u2019s Park Art Festival in the late \u201990s. Andriana Drogaris, a bird enthusiast with an art degree, said the sculptures bring her joy, even though the couple hasn\u2019t spoken to the Klosses in years.<\/p>\n

The Drogaris Companies, Ed Drogaris\u2019 land development firm, used the birds in stagings of their model units as a conversation starter for clients. Now, Ed and Andriana Drogaris have about eight of Tom Kloss\u2019 sculptures around their house. They have given some of them names to match their unique personalities: Cornelius, Charles and Chippy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are great pets, by the way. They don\u2019t shed. You don\u2019t have to feed them,\u201d Ed Drogaris said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Ed doesn\u2019t even dust them,\u201d Andriana Drogaris teased.<\/p>\n

In 2012, Tom Kloss decided he had accomplished all that he wanted to do. He and his wife were getting older, and the work was getting harder. The couple auctioned off most of their work and downsized to a smaller home in 2015, where they live among their remaining sculptures today. They traveled to 65 countries. They spent time together.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve never been bored,\u201d Carol Kloss said.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

READ:\u00a0New Amtrak art installation features photo collages of Lancaster city sights<\/a><\/p>\n

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Flying the nest<\/p>\n

The Klosses aren\u2019t certain how or when they will clear out their collection. They will take at least eight sculptures to Homestead Village, or as many as can reasonably fit. Some pieces will go to close friends, though most people they know are also aging into tighter spaces. Tom Kloss wanted to donate some of his work to Homestead as decor, but he discovered that retirement communities prefer artwork that keeps its members relaxed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy pieces won\u2019t do that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The sculptures will likely go up for auction in the spring, though the Klosses haven\u2019t worked out the details. Tom Kloss still has to price his items, which vary from $200 to $2,000, depending on their size and how sentimental he feels toward them. Most of his customer base lives outside Lancaster County, so he isn\u2019t certain whether the auction should happen locally or move elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Either way, Carol Cooper of New York City, one of many longtime buyers, hopes to end up with something, even a tabletop bird. She\u2019s willing to find the room, if Tom Kloss relinquishes his pack-rat tendencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s hard-pressed to give anything up,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cBut you know, at some point we all have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

FOR THOSE INTERESTED<\/p>\n

People interested in Tom Kloss\u2019 artwork or who have questions about his career can reach Kloss by email at tomkloss59@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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