The American Association of Woodturners’ annual wood art auctions feature original works by talented studio woodturners and artists. Proceeds from the auctions benefit the association’s educational grant program and professional outreach initiatives. This great event runs over two days on Friday June 10th and Saturday June 11th with over 40 lots in each session. Each piece is stunning in visual, and beautiful in it’s preparation. This is an auction not to be missed by anyone interested in wood art and woodturning. Registrations are available every day online right up until auction day.
The first session is Friday night, and is set as a fundraiser for The Educational Opportunity Grant. Every piece is a highlight worth viewing. Taking a look at Lot 30 is an incredible piece which is a horn and made by Kristin LeVier. It is entitled “Horn VII” and is zebrawood, compressed cherry, and acrylic paint. It measures 7.5” by 19.5” by 3”. In the words of the artist: “Although the first piece in my Horn series was inspired by my son’s flexible toy palm tree, the sculptures have evolved into an exploration of the complex hidden mechanisms and structures behind the power and beauty of animals,” Kristin notes. “I’ve been passionate about both art and science for as long as I can remember. A look into a microscope at the age of 6 propelled me toward a career as a molecular biologist, and I studied plants and bacteria in the lab for 20 years before transitioning to studio art full time”. See the photo online and read the artist’s bio in the online catalog.
During the Saturday session they are fundraising for the Professional Outreach Program. Of the highlights, Lot 200 is something special. This is an American Holly Bowl by Phillip Moulthrop, from Marietta, Georgia. It is made with a modified epoxy finish and measures 5.25” by 7.25”. As noted by the artist, this piece is turned from a piece of American holly, (Ilex opaca) which is found all along the eastern United States. It has been manipulated to produce unusual color and patterns: freshly-cut holly is usually pure white, but when the pH of holly is increased to a figure above 8 or 9, a reaction in the wood produces a green color in the grain. This effect is more pronounced in holly shrubs than trees. In the artist’s own words: “I have been turning wood for thirty-six years beginning in 1979. I use wood from the southeastern United States almost exclusively. When I am choosing wood, I look for logs that display strong patterns, colors and contrasts. The appearance of each species of wood changes as the logs age producing a nearly infinite visual palette to work with”. This has several photos online for viewing along with full artist bio and information.
The American Association of Woodturners are celebrating 30 years with their symposium in Atlanta, Georgia. These two auctions are an incredible showcase for work from around the country, and will be working towards providing benefit for great causes. Registrations are open right up until the auctioneer readies the hammer, and bids can be left online before the auction. Auctioneering begins Friday night at 7:30 PM Eastern Time, and Saturday afternoon at 3:30PM Eastern Time. Learn more about the AAW at www.woodturner.org