2014 Exhibit Patuxent Research Refuge

The Chesapeake Woodturners Exhibit at the National

Wildlife Visitors Center for the Patuxent Research Refuge

The Chesapeake Woodturners are the focus of a juried exhibition at the National Wildlife Visitors Center for the Patuxent Research Refuge located in Laurel Maryland. The show will run from March 29^th through April 30^th.

This bi-annual show usually takes place at the Montpelier Mansion, however, due to large scale construction at the Mansion, our venue needed to be moved. We had initially thought that the show would have to be cancelled but due to the kind efforts of the staffs at Montpelier Mansion and the National Wildlife Visitors Center, we were able to move the show this year and our thanks go out to all the wonderful people who made this show possible.

We had some spectacular entries into the show this year.

Our winner, taking First Place this year was Tim Moore for his Segmented Pot. Our Juror, Barbara Wolanin said of the piece “This segmented hollow form caught my eye because of the pleasing and refined design and the skill with which the segments were combined. Using two kinds of wood, the turner created patterns of solids and stripes and--most ingeniously-- a ring of even light ovals emerging through the darker surface. He created a different design only seen when looking down into the pot. The piece stood out for both its craftsman ship and its pleasing design.”

Second place went to Jeff Bridges for his Cherry Bowl. Barbara said “This bowl stood out for its quality among many bowls. The shape and materials are elegant and refined. The small base is subtly indicated with just a slight edge, enough to support the swelling contour that moves up to the wide rim. The strong rim is composed of two parts. From above, one sees is a slanted edge, but a second plane visible from the side is emphasized with dark lines. The piece as a whole creates a handsome impression. The grain in of the wood is also refined and does not distract from the strong shape. The color and finish of the wood contribute to its beauty.”

Third Place went to Jeannie Ureno for her Gecko bowl. Barbara said “This large open bowl made me smile with it lively color and all-over designs of crawling geckos and interspersed with small spirals. It has a playful feeling, with the surprise of a bright orange interior contrasted with the complementary dark blue and more intense colors on the underside. The bowl itself has a graceful shape, with the craftsmanship strong in the lively decoration. I appreciated the way each gecko, different in position and color, seems to have a unique personality. The bodies cropped at the edges give the impression that the creatures continue crawling beyond the bowl. The color and design extend to the very bottom of the bowl, adding to the sense of surprise and fun.”

Barbara also selected two Juror’s Choices. These were pieces that for no specific reason appealed to the judge on a personal level.

One of the Juror’s Choices was Gene Adcock’s "Maple Planet". Barbara said “This hollow form stood out for the integration of it perfectly round shape with the subtle organic color variations in warm tones and bluish gray caused by spalting flowing around the form, suggestive of water in a stream. The finish was used to enhance the color contrasts but does not call attention to itself. The round opening is encircled with a small bead and its darkness contrasts with and visually anchors the light wood.”

The other Juror’s Choice was from Allen Alexopulos for his Spiral-Edged Bowl. Barbara said “This small bowl seems soft-spoken yet confident. The small foot of this cherry bowl lifts the form up though the subtle curve of its sides. The rim textured with curved parallel lines adds to the tangible appeal of the piece and its contrast of rough and smooth. The color variation created by the sapwood adds to the sense of movement created by the lines.”

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this show a success.