Stan Sulim adjusts one of his artistic creations displayed at his store on South Union Street in Spencerport. Stan has been in business at this location for a few months but already has attracted many customers (especially during Canal Days) to look over his unique weather vanes and gift items. He designs and enhances a variety of objects with gold leaf and stained glass. Stan said, "I love to work in gold leaf, enhancing objects such as chocolates (edible!), wood, sea shells and other decorative pieces." Photo by Walter Horylev.

Stan Sulim, a middle-aged, extroverted, single, fun-seeking artist, has come back to western New York via Vermont, Florida and finally back to Spencerport.

His travels may be seen as poetic justice. Sulim is a weathervane artist.

Sulim opened up his shop only months ago at 123 South Union Street, but is already feeling at home in the village of Spencerport. When Sulim decided to move back to the area, after braving only one Florida summer, he said Spencerport was on a short list of possible destinations.

In the end, it was the village's charm with the "canal and the history" that won over the wandering artist. Out of his shop on Spencerport's main street, Sulim sells weathervanes of all sorts of unique design pieces. A customer may purchase an existing piece or have it custom made with stained glass, agate slices, crystals, semi-precious stones or gold leaf. In addition to his pieces, Sulim also offers custom gold leaf work.

Sulim said his fascination with weathervanes matured when he moved to Vermont in 1994. There, weathervanes are more commonplace as they adorn the tops of barns.

Sulim said he was drawn to the idea of making weathervanes as he had been searching for an artistic outlet.

"With all due respect to my fellow artists, weathervanes differ from paintings and the such because they allow you to reach out and touch and move," said Sulim. At the shop on Union Street, there are many options for customers to look at, and Sulim suggests that there are many possibilities beyond what the customers will find in the store.

For those who are interested in purchasing an original piece, Sulim said the direction is pretty much up to the customer. "I always ask 'How good is your imagination and what are you willing to pay,' " said Sulim. That question often times elicits different answers, which is okay because options abound. Sulim sells work that ranges from $35 to $2,500.

Customer participation is encouraged. Sulim said he derives a great deal of his enjoyment out of striking up conversations with those who stop in to look around. "These are fun things," said Sulim. "People come in out of curiosity and have no idea what to expect."

And Sulim is not your usual shop owner. The self-described 'starving artist' can elaborate at length on his love for weathervanes and his plan to make them popular throughout western New York. Then, as if altered by a strong breeze, change direction and talk about his grandchildren or his thoughts on Florida.

Whatever direction he heads in, Sulim is quite happy with where he is. He's enjoying Spencerport and he's loving the chance to share his art with those who stop by.

"It was my intention to have something carry me into my old age and I'm hoping this is it," said Sulim.