CECILIA SCHILLER is an award-winning woodcarver who combines carving, woodworking, and engineering to craft whimsical interactive mechanized creations that come to life when the viewer turns the crank. They are commonly known as “automata”, an art form begun long ago by master clock makers who created amazing mechanical wonders that were then gifted between emperors and heads of state. Cecilia’s work became part of this tradition when a few years ago the Moroccan Counsel General to the UN purchased two of her pieces as gifts for other diplomats. Cecilia honed the multifaceted skillset she needs to create these unique story telling devices by spending over 20 plus years in the theater world, building specialty props, scenic pieces, and sculpting masks and puppets. Currently living in St. Paul, Minnesota, she plans to relocate to rural northern Wisconsin near Lake Superior, where she’ll work from a fabulous renovated barn studio.