“Artistry in Wood is a perfect name for the show,” said the well-known intarsia artist Judy Gale Roberts after attending the Dayton Carvers Guild’s annual event. “The show encompasses so many woodworking techniques—carving, pyrography, fretwork, intarsia, woodturning, and combinations of all five skills.”
Judy was one of many scrollers at the 2017 show, which was held October 14-15 in Wilmington, Ohio. The event welcomed 3,500 guests and 189 exhibitors, among them about two dozen scrollers and vendors with related products. With so few scroll saw picnics remaining, scrollers are eager for new places to share their work, buy supplies, and find inspiration for new projects. At Artistry in Wood, Judy displayed her intarsia, sold patterns, and signed copies of her new book, the second edition of her popular Wildlife Intarsia Woodworking; her hour-long intarsia demonstration was standing room only.
Among the other vendors, newcomer Erick Ortiz flew in from hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico to exhibit at the show. Ray Seymore of Seyco brought and demonstrated his scroll saws and other tools. Misty Valestin, the new president of the Scrollsaw Association of the World (S.A.W.) welcomed more than a dozen new members over the course of the show. The popular pattern designing duo of Jacob and Wayne Fowler shared their work in the Fox Chapel Publishing booth and promoted their new book, the Woodworker’s Pattern Book.
Scrollers were well represented in the show’s competition as well. Curt Blosser took home both First Place and Best of Scroll Saw Category for his chess set, made using a pattern by Dan Wilckens that appeared in Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Fall 2017 (Issue 68). Bruce Shea won Second Best of Category with a red, white, and blue scrolled bowl. Erick Ortiz won the Deitz Religious Award for his cubist depiction of Jesus, as well as Third Best of Woodworking for his eagle head portrait. Vickie Schaub was a winner as well, taking a prize for her angel intarsia, made using a pattern by Kathy Wise that appeared in Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Holiday 2015 (Issue 61).
Commented Ray Seymore, “Once again, the Dayton Carvers Guild did a fabulous job and Fox Chapel certainly got the word out to the scrollers. We had a great turnout and the Seyco crew thoroughly enjoyed every minute. We are looking forward to next year.” Agrees Judy Gale Roberts, “I recommend anyone who enjoys the natural beauty of wood to mark their calendars to attend the show in 2018.”
Artistry in Wood takes place every October at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio. Visit the Dayton Carvers Guild’s website (www.daytoncarvers.com) for more information.
