The criteria for this award blends perfectly with my description of Dave’s presence in this world. “The Lee Toy award recognizes one’s body of original work or his commitment to kites as an art and the artist’s ability to inspire others in recognizing the uniqueness of kites as art. He is always willing and engaged in teaching, exploring, and innovating. On and off the field Dave promotes kites within the AKA membership and the broader community. Dave has a clear generosity of spirit and willingness to share his energies in promoting kites as an art form. This is Dave Young.
Fighter Kite Dave was given this name by Steve Rogers. A name that totally describes Fighter Dave’s love of making and playing with Fighter kites. Starting with a Toys ‘R Us store in the 1990’s when he and his son Ryan, came across a display of kites and the 3 year old looked up at him and said “Dad we can make kites like these”. And there you have how 3 year old Ryan inspired his Dad to make and fly his first kite. I think we are all lucky that Dave was living in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was and still is an active member of the Tulsa Wind Riders.
He is a natural teacher and self-taught master kite maker. His kite materials of choice are plastics, Mylar, papers, bamboo and carbon and more. He has a gift of teaching in an engaging and interactive way that brings out one’s inner creativeness and confidence. Some 30 plus years later, Dave is still experimenting with new materials. Making new kites, experimenting with designs old and new. He has a keen interest in Japanese and fighter kites.
Dave’s passion for kite making and creating other wind related art is unrelenting. He began teaching kite making with his son’s first grade class. Soon he was teaching in area schools, Civic Centers, Junction Kite Retreat, and AKA Conventions. Routinely providing spontaneous kite making and flying for kite fliers across Region 8, when weather prohibited outdoor flying. Over the last decade or more he has been a regular teacher at the Simmons Center Performing Arts Center and the Chisholm Trail Arts Center. He has taught for years during the summer “Arts Explosion week”. In 2024 he received the prestigious “Ambassador of the Arts” Award.
I would estimate that Fighter Dave has easily made and taught the making of 10’s of 1000’s of kites. His teaching style is engaging, thought provoking and entertaining. In the end you will have gained historical insights, physics, geometric relevance and how it relates to the kite that is being created. His excitement about kites and flying is contagious. His skills with fighter kites are second to none.
I never knew Lee Toy, but I hear stories about him and have seen several of his kites. I know he made kites out of plastic, Tyvek and other materials that were inexpensive and accessible to most everyone.
I believe that hardly a day goes by in which Dave is not flying a kite, making a kite or creating other kite related items like line laundry, banners or other ‘windicators’. His joy of kite flying is contagious. It’s not unusual to hear a resounding “WooHoo” from Dave when he shows up for an event, seeing friends or just bursting with the love kites. Like Lee, Dave is filled with creative energy, enthusiasm, curiosity and generosity. He is truly Tako Kitchi.
Submitted by Cat Gabrel, Marti Dermer, Jim Day