Contemporary Maine Carving
Thursday, December 2, 2004 - Thursday, March 3, 2004
For Press Release, Click Here.
Curator's Statement
The history of Maine is inexorably linked to wood, trees, timber, lumber, and the arts that utilize them. Among these is the art of carving—shaping a piece of wood into something else by cutting away at it. This show brings together many of the outstanding people working in the State today who carve wood.
The exhibitors were chosen to show the impressive range of carved work being made in Maine. They include figurative artists, abstract sculptors, wildlife carvers, folk artists, and craftspeople. Some are self-taught and some have studied with masters, some are following traditions and others are clearing new paths. They are united by the fact that they all carve their creations from wood, something that humans have been doing since the Neolithic era.
The exhibit does not pretend to be all-inclusive or encyclopedic, but has tried to be somewhat representative. Some of the participants are well-known in their fields: for example, Rodney Richard has had work shown by the Smithsonian Institution and has traveled to Russia in an exchange; Cabot Lyford is one of Maine`s best-known sculptors; Valdemar Skov has made work for both the Maine State Capitol Building and the Blaine House (the Governor’s residence); Jacques Vesery is one of the top wood-turners in the country; Stanley Neptune and Joe Dana have participated in the National Folk Festival; and Clark Fitz-Gerald was commissioned to make major sculptures on both sides of the Atlantic.
The show was supposed to only include people alive and working in Maine today. It would have, but sadly Clark Fitz-Gerald died at the beginning of November after agreeing to participate in the show. He was 87 years old—and had several projects underway in his studio at the time of his death. Visitors should get some idea of his vibrant personality and creative energy from the sculpture that is on display, and understand the extent to which he will be missed.
- Steve Lindsay, Guest Curator
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| Lise Becu | Gordon Bok | John Bryan | Steve Hensel |
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| David Holmes | Steve Lindsay | Cabot Lyford | |
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| Don Meserve | Valdemar Skov | Laurie Stearns | Jacques Vesery |
Also exhibiting:
- Jim Bird
- Ray Carbone
- Joe Dana
- Clark Fitz-Gerald
- Stanley Neptune
- Rodney Richard
- Wayne Robbins
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 18, 2004
CONTACT: Kate Fletcher, Senior Administrator
Center for Furniture Craftsmanship
207-594-5611 kate@woodschool.org
“Woodworkers Carve Major Exhibition”
Dates: Thursday, December 2, 2004 - Thursday, March 3, 2004
ROCKPORT, Maine - On Thursday, December 2, 2004 “Contemporary Maine Carving” commences at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship’s Messler Gallery. The exhibit opens a new window on the vibrant cultural life of the state as expressed across many communities, from North to South, from fine arts to folk art, from urban to rural.
The exhibition’s guest curator is Steve Lindsay, a well-regarded sculptor from Tenants Harbor. “We asked Steve to scout out the best woodcarving being done in Maine across all genres, and he’s done an admirable job,” says Peter Korn, the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship’s Executive Director, “The exhibition sunders cultural boundaries to give a fresh perspective on the commonality and divergence among artists and artisans who share the same medium and processes, but begin from widely different starting points.”
Exhibitors include figurative artists, abstract sculptors, wildlife carvers, folk artists, and craftspeople. Some are self-taught, others have studied with masters, some follow tradition, others clear new paths. All carve wood as a means of self-expression.
The complete list of exhibitors includes Lise Becu (Tenants Harbor), Jim Bird (Belfast), Gordon Bok (Camden), John Bryan (North Yarmouth), Ray Carbone (Milbridge), Joe Dana (Indian Island) the late Clark Fitz-Gerald (Castine), Stephen Hensel (Friendship), David J. Holmes (Plymouth), Steve Lindsay (Tenants Harbor), Cabot Lyford (New Harbor), Don Meserve (Round Pond), Stanley Neptune (Old Town), Rodney Richard (Rangeley), Wayne Robbins (Bath), Valdemar Skov (Waldoboro), Laurie Stearns (Brunswick) and Jacques Vesery (Damariscotta).
Stanley Neptune and Joe Dana, of the Penobscot Indian Nation, have participated in the National Folk Festival; Rodney Richard has been represented in exhibits by the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service; Valdemar Skov has carved furnishings for the Maine State Capitol Building and Blaine House; Jacques Vesery has exhibited his carved, turned vessels internationally; and the late Clark Fitz-Gerald received major commissions on both sides of the Atlantic during his long career.
“We had intended to include only living Maine carvers, but sadly Clark passed away at the beginning of November, just after agreeing to participate,” notes curator Steve Lindsay. “Clark was 87 years old-and had several projects underway in his studio when I went to speak with him. Fortunately, visitors will still be able to experience the sculptor’s vibrant personality and creative energy through his work in this show.”
The public is invited to the opening reception on Thursday, December 2 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Work from the exhibition can also be viewed on the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship's website, www.woodschool.org . The Center is a non-profit school offering courses in furniture making and related arts such as carving and woodturning.
For more information about the school or the exhibition, please call 207-594-5611 or e-mail cfc@woodschool.org.
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