Living on Whidbey Island, we are used to being surrounded by trees—wood on the hoof, in other words. In the hands of this talented group of artisans, wood becomes another animal all together. In a time when so much of what fills our homes is mass-produced, often from places far from home, it is refreshing and inspiring to me that some men and women choose to learn the craft of working with wood. And not just learn it, excel at it.
Why have we let go of the idea that we could live with beautiful things that are also functional? Or functional things that are beautiful? This is wood spruced up for a big night on the town. This is not your grandmother’s kitchen table. I hope you will take a look at the wonders of woodworking, shared here on this month’s Virtual Gallery. Then get yourself over to the Whidbey Center for the Arts from noon until 5 p.m. daily, from August 30 through September 1.
For more information, visit http://www.woodpalooza.com
Anne Belov is a painter, printmaker, cartoonist, and designated bad influence. In addition to curating the Virtual Gallery, Belov also blogs for Whidbey Life Magazine, organizes the Froggwell Biennale, is the author of four collections of “The Panda Chronicle” cartoons, and the recently released children’s book, “Pandamorphosis,” published by Leaping Panda Press. You can find her paintings at The Rob Schouten Gallery and her cartoons at http://yourbrainonpandas.com
Woodpalooza @ WICA” Exhibition on Beautiful Whidbey Island
The Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild presents the “Art + Wood =Woodpalooza @ WICA” Exhibition – the 11th Annual Show of Whidbey’s Finest Woodwork now at WICA (Whidbey Center for the Arts). This year’s show promises exceptional work by twenty of Whidbey’s best.
August 30 – September 1, 2014. Exhibition (free) open Noon -5PM daily; plus reception Friday, August 29; 6-9PM. Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA), Zech Hall, 565 Camano Avenue, Langley, WA 98260 (360-221-8262 or www.WICAonline.com).
The Guild seeks to support professional woodworkers as well as inspire and educate the budding amateur and provide awareness to the general public of the skills available locally from its talented members. In 2001 the Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild was formed to bring together the woodworking community of Whidbey. Please visit: www.woodpalooza.com for more information.
For more information contact
Gary A. Leake 360-678-1347 or through the contact form on their site.
Whidbey Island Woodworker’s Guild
In 2001 the Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild was formed to bring together the woodworking community of Whidbey. Now in its thirteenth year, the Guild includes makers of furniture, cabinetry, architectural woodwork, tuners, clock makers, sawyers, carvers, restorers, musical instrument makers, boat builders and refinishers.
The Guild seeks to support professional woodworkers as well as inspire and educate the budding amateur and provide awareness to the general public of the skills available locally from its talented members.
WIWG Steering Committee
Rob Hetler, Gary Leake, Wilson Binger, Randy Scofield, Gordy Edberg, Bruce Schwager, John Shinneman, Janet Lewis
Woodpalooza
Most furniture and wood-art made today is mass-produced and often designed/built for low cost, short-term use (throw away). Woodpalooza presents an alternative that involves the talents of master craftsmen/women who make their living creating pieces that will beautifully endure for generations.
The exhibition is intended to simultaneously educate and inspire. Further, we hope that these examples of creativity will inspire others (especially the nextgeneration) to aspire to consider joining us as a career. The Guild invites everyone to come and experience the numerous types of woods in a wide variety of forms while rubbing shoulders with the artisans who carry on one of our oldest and most endearing professions.
