What's the recipe for sculpting a bear? Add one part encouragement, one part planning, two parts materials, one part inspiration, ruminate for two years, then take three months to cut away everything that doesn't look like a bear.

This year's BearFest statue, entitled "Honeysuckle," was created by Anne Luetkemeyer, an artist who leaned on her industrial background to carve the piece.

Two years ago, Sylvia Ettefagh, chairperson of BearFest, asked Luetkemeyer if she would create a bear statue for the annual event. Luetkemeyer agreed and began looking for welding equipment with the thought she...