“Master Woodworking Artist of the Year” to be Chosen

The Forest Heritage Center Museum (FHC), located in the heart of Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow, Oklahoma, was officially designated as the “Wood Art Capital of Oklahoma” in 2010. This new claim to fame authorizes the museum to bestow the title of “Master Woodworking Artist of the Year” to a commendable artist in this field. FHC will open the very first juried “Master Woodworking Artist of the Year” exhibit with a reception and awards presentation on Sunday, March 4 from 1-3 p.m.

The exhibit will continue through May 6 showcasing some of the most intriguing and innovative pieces of wood art selected from thirteen artists. “The objects will be diverse and should create a lot of conversation about the beautiful art forms that come from trees,” stated Doug Zook, FHC director. “We are pleased to have these talented wood artists commit to a project of this magnitude and help raise the stature of wood art in Oklahoma.”

Oklahoma artists competing for the 2012 title include: Robert Adams, Duncan; Tommy Allen, Idabel; Jerry Brownrigg, Alva; Deon Cavner, Elmore City; Hayes Copeland, Sallisaw; Ron Engel-Wilson, Idabel; Bob Hawks, Tulsa; Bill Koch, Jay; and James Wendell Mills, Sallisaw. Out-of-state artists include: Jim Christiansen, Moscow, ID; Barbara Dill, Rockville, VA; Allen Phillips, DeKalb, TX and Paul Stafford, Littleton, CO.

Quintus Herron, former FHC Board Chair and one of the original FHC founders, pointed out that from the museum’s inception in 1976 it has promoted wood art, beginning with the acquisition of the iconic Peter Toth sculpture known as the Whispering Giant in 1976, the recent addition of the Pine Maiden and the board of directors’ ongoing sponsorship of the woodturning classes at area high schools. In 1996, the Wood Art Gallery was established to showcase some of the finest works of art utilizing wood as a medium.  The Wood Art Gallery has been very well-received by museum visitors and has generated a new audience of wood collectors and art lovers who appreciate the beauty and artistry of wood.  

The “Master Woodworking Artist of the Year” exhibit will be free and open to the public March 4 – May 6 at the Forest Heritage Center Museum. Gallery hours are 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information call 580-494-6497 or email the museum at fhc@beaversbend.com. This exhibit is made possible by the Forest Heritage Center Advisory Board, Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma Forestry Services and members of the Forest Heritage Center Association.