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General Description of Work: The natural beauty of wood can be celebrated and accentuated together with aspects of symmetry and form in well-designed turned wooden pieces. My excitement and fascination with wooden bowls, vessels, and hollow forms created on the wood lathe enables me to rise to the challenge of producing a form that will best display the native figure and color of the wood, in addition to creating a piece that is both pleasing and satisfying to the eye with respect to the form's shape and proportions. All of these factors interact dynamically as wood is removed in the process of turning to reveal the natural characteristics of this medium, which are universally appealing. The opportunity to expose grain patterns, subtle color or texture differences, and unique features of the wood is an endless source of inspiration that allows for "instantaneous creativity" and immediate gratification for the artist, as the spinning form develops on the lathe. With the development of each piece, the mystery of what lies beneath the bark is revealed, and the ability to share this beauty with others in the pieces I create is a source of personal pleasure and pride.
Bio: Dr. Robert S. (Rob) Wallace holds a Ph.D. in Botany from Rutgers University (New Jersey), and is a biology professor at Iowa State University where he teaches courses in evolution, plant taxonomy and systematics, economic botany, and biogeography. He has been a woodworker since before his teen years, and enjoys all aspects of woodworking, especially woodturning. He is a member of the American Association of Woodturners and has been an active member and officer of the Ames Woodworkers Club (Iowa) for over 16 years. He has been coordinating the local group of woodturning enthusiasts (Ames Area Woodturners) since 2005, has presented demonstrations on various woodturning and woodworking topics to regional and national groups, and offers private lessons in woodturning to interested persons.
His work has been displayed at the Iowa State Fair in the judged categories of 'Creative Arts - Woodworking' in 2005 through 2008 where he has won first place in the "Turned Items" Class each year, and receiving awards in other competitive classes as well. In 2007, he won First Place (Blue Ribbon) in Sculpture, and in 2008 won a Third Place award in Sculpture at the Iowa State Fair Juried Fine Art Exhibition. His work was also accepted into the 40th annual "Clay, Fiber, Glass, Wood, Paper, Metal" juried art exhibition at the Octagon Center for the Arts. He has been showing and selling his artwork at Gallery 319 and at the Octagon Center for the Arts, both in Ames, Iowa.
Services Offered 1: Live demonstration and explanation of woodturning methods, which include real-time use of a portable woodturning lathe to make a range of artistic and craft objects in wood. Demonstrations are tailored to specific audiences of various groups: i.e. adult service groups (Kiwanis, Lions, Jaycees, etc.), local art organizations, galleries, and museums, woodworking clubs, schools (elementary, middle school, high school, college), and youth organizations.
Services Offered 2: Presentation of public lectures, including: a) "Introduction to Woodturning" - An overview of the history, methods, and equipment used in the art and craft of woodturning; b), "Creating Bowls, Vessels, and Hollow Forms in Wood" - An explanation of the physical process of making wooden vessels, and the artistic aspects of turned vessel form; and c) "The Complexity and Diversity of Wood" - A review of wood as a structural material, plant product, and artistic medium.
Regions: All Regions, Central, East, North Central, North East, North West, South Central, South East, South West, West Central
Months available: : Generally, May through August; other months possible with sufficient advance scheduling and coordination.
Performance fees, mileage charges, related to arts services: : I do not generally impose standard fees for arts services. For both lectures and demonstrations, hosting groups are responsible for all travel costs (mileage, tolls, etc.), accommodation/meals (if necessary), and charges for use of audio-visual equipment and/or facility use. Providing an honorarium to the artist by the hosting group is made by arrangement; please inquire.
Accessibility accommodations, space requirements, equipment and all other needs that should be met by sponsors: : For Live Woodturning Demonstrations: Access to demonstration room approximately 1 hour prior to presentation; 110 volt power outlets capable of delivering 15 amperes minimum. Suffient ambient lighting to provide for normal viewing by audience. Video camera and projector capable of taking close-up views helpful, but not required. Please contact artist for specific requirements. Note: Demonstration generates wood shavings; need to provide cleaning items and waste receptacles.
For Lectures: Digital projection equipment and projection screen needed for laptop/computer-based Powerpoint presentations. Room must be sufficiently dark to optimize quality of projected images. Electrical power needed for laptop and projection equipment. Microphone and sound amplification system generally unnecessary, except for very large rooms or outdoor venues.
