by Sam Kulla

The son of a welder, Bernie Fanelli was raised in Montana. He quickly earned a degree in diesel technology but rather than working with machines, grew to be an accomplished mason. As a volunteer for the Montana Conservation Corps years ago, he developed an affinity for stone while constructing turnpikes and water bars throughout the state.

“Working with stone is really gratifying,” Fanelli says, “You can see what you build every day, see how your work progresses year to year and get a sense of something structural and permanent that will last forever. Plus, you get to lift heavy things, which is good for you.”

He specializes in high-end projects, “really big walls and fireplaces. You have to keep the totality of the project in mind even when focusing on small details.” He has pieces in the Yellowstone Club, Moonlight Basin, all over Bozeman, Vancouver, Bellingham and Missoula. His favorite project to date was in a house at Big Sky. “Everything there was sandstone, very malleable. You can form it however you want. It had a brownish earthy tone with tons of lichens. The inside fireplaces had mantles that each weight around 1,200 pounds and hearths around 7,000 pounds. No gas inserts, real fireplaces for wood.”

His most recent project is a sectional concrete bar, 2.5 inches thick by 12.5 feet long with a 3.5 foot return, weighing in at over a ton. Each of the main pieces weighs 200 pounds and the return weighs double that. The bar features custom under chroming and is inlaid with quartz, turquoise and petrified wood, a gift from Bernie’s great grandfather, Ezio. Between the sections are strips of stainless steel and light maple. The surface is polished to a mirror shine with a 3,000 grit diamond wheel and sealed.

Originally a commission, the bar’s patron backed out at the last minute. Bernie isn’t bothered by hanging on to the piece however, considering the sentimental value. He’s currently working on an order for a similar bar and would be willing to show the original to anybody who is interested.

“Stone, as a natural medium, is perfect,” Bernie says. “The versatility and mass of it are addictive to say the least. It’s amazing to be able to manipulate it with simple tools, just a hammer and chisel at times, same primitive techniques people have been using for thousands of years.”

Bernie lives near Denver and can be reached at rocktowers@gmail.com.