Wood carving and turning are not just ways to pass the time on quiet afternoons in Appalachia, but a true art form. Finding a shape in a piece of driftwood and cutting away the extra bits is a skill our artists are continually honing. Craftsmen and artists experiment with texturing, carving, and coloring, to further enhance the art, challenging all who participate to explore new techniques and expand their imagination.

Gary Brackett has always loved the beauty of domestic woods and turns most of his pieces from reclaimed wood, local trees that have been cut down or blown over by storms. Gary makes many pieces including beautiful bowls and oil lamps.

In true Appalachian tradition, the art of wood turning was passed down to John Cahall by his father. John's works include one-of-a-kind boxes, bowls, 3-D puzzles. John is also accomplished in the art form of Intarsia, using pieces of different woods, cut into thin tiles to create mosaics. "I love to take a piece of wood that no one wants and turn it into a cherished keepsake."

After his 1996 retirement from teaching biology at New Richmond High School, Jim turned his lifelong passion for fishing into an art. Mr. Crozier uses his experience of more than 50 years of freshwater fishing, and a knowledge of fish anatomy and habitat to render lifelike wood carvings. Using mainly Basswood, Jim carves with knives, chisels, power tools and wood burning tools. He paints with an airbrush and acrylic paints. "My goal is to carve realistic fish displayed in their natural habitats."

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