Dave began his sculptural journey 25 years ago in the medium of wood. Starting with wood turning, the turnings became sculpted turnings that then transitioned to sculpture. The refinement and mastery of his sculptural form in wood is now finding its way into cast glass. Abilities and understandings developed over the years sculpting wood translate to this new medium. Sculpting casting models to mold rely on skills already developed through many years of wood. Cold working glass is very similar to sanding and finishing wood.
With so much experience in wood, why glass? Initially Dave was exposed to glass through his parents, his first major experience was 2003's Chihuly at the Conservatory, Columbus Ohio. He was hooked, his fascination with glass began. Dave continued to study and appreciate glass, eventually taking glass blowing lessons. He helped build equipment for a hot shop and assisted there. As his knowledge expanded it became clear casting would allow Dave to develop the sculptures he wants to make. The inner space of a casting has always fascinated him but the day he saw David Ruth's work it was a WOW moment.
Primarily self-taught, the sculpture has been developed and refined over the years. Dave has studied with wood turners such as David Ellsworth and Graeme Pridlle. He has attended Pittsburgh Glass Center cold working classes with Frantisek Janak and Chad Holliday, and has a long standing mentorship with Harry Pollitt. His work has been represented at SOFA Chicago, del Mano Gallery, and in publications including Thought Art magazine and Masters of Contemporary Wood Art. Dave’s work is in the permanent collection of the American Association of Woodturners. Currently he is represented by Arbor Gallery and online with Wood Symphony gallery.
Where does Dave go from here? Glass casting is playing a larger role. It's qualities allow different expressions of his sculpture. It has spurred new ideas, some for wood, some for glass, some for both. As Dave’s work expands and redefines, glass is taking a more important sculptural role. Paralleling with wood, glass provides different experiences within the same forms.
Art keeps me balanced, creating it is who I am.
Sculpture is a necessary part of my life. My current choices of medium are wood and glass. I've dabbled some in metal and others, who knows where I'll end up or what I'll use. Throughout the pages of this website you'll find my affliction of wood and growing passion for glass. I started this journey almost 25 years ago thanks to a retired Ohio State Dentistry professor. Glass has transitioned from a very strong interest to a passion, Initially introduced to it through acquaintances and Dale Chihuly videos research and education has continued. As my glass education grew so did my interest in casting. At one point a came across David Ruth's work and it was that WOW moment. To see what could be done with the inner space of sculpture. Both disciplines take a large amount of time but I intend to continue both.
Solo Exhibitions
2021 Contemporary Nouveau, d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA
Selected Exhibitions
2022 Turned and Sculpted Wood 2021, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2021 Turned and Sculpted Wood 2021, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2020 Glass Gathering Online Exhibition, glassgatheringartshow2020.artcall.org
2020 Turned and Sculpted Wood 2020, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2019 Turned and Sculpted Wood 2019, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2018 Turned and Sculpted Wood 2018, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2018 Small Treasures, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2017 Turned and Sculpted Wood 2017, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2016 Turned and Sculpted Wood 2016, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2015 Turned & Sculpted Wood, del Mano – A Gallery of Fine Contemporary Craft, Los Angeles,
CA
2014 Turned & Sculpted Wood, del Mano – A Gallery of Fine Contemporary Craft, Los Angeles,
CA
2014 Hot Tea! (summer/fall), del Mano-A Gallery of Fine Contemporary Craft, Los Angeles, CA
2013 Turned & Sculpted Wood, del Mano – A Gallery of Fine Contemporary Craft, Los Angeles,
CA
2013 AICUO Walking Exhibition Short North, Brandt-Roberts Gallery, Columbus, OH
2011 New Perspectives in Wood, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2011 Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Exposition, Chicago, IL
2010 Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Exposition, Chicago, IL
2008 November Gallery Hop, Short North – Phia Salon, Columbus, OH
2004 Relationships: A Part of the Whole - Photography and Woodturning, High Road Gallery,
Worthington, OH
Juried shows
2019 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, Cox Fine Arts Center, Columbus OH
2018 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, Cox Fine Arts Center, Columbus OH
2006 Step up to the Plate The American Association of Woodturners Gallery, Louisville KY,
St. Paul MN, Ashville NC.
2005 Return to the Land of Oz The American Association of Woodturners Gallery,
Overland Park KS, St. Paul MN, Ashville NC, Portland OR.
Collections
2007 The American Association of Woodturners Gallery, St. Paul, MN
Commissions
2022 Private Residence Wall Sculpture Commission
2013 Designer & Sculptor of Awards for the AICUO Awards for Excellence in the Visual Arts,
Columbus, OH
Awards
2019 Ohio Arts Council: A Perspective From Nature, Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition,
Cox Fine Arts Center, Columbus OH
Selected Publications and media
2022 Masters of Contemporary Wood Art Volume 4, Wood Symphony Gallery,
www.woodsymphony.com
2021 Masters of Contemporary Wood Art Volume 3, Wood Symphony Gallery,
www.woodsymphony.com
2020 Masters of Contemporary Wood Art Volume 2, Wood Symphony Gallery,
www.woodsymphony.com
2020 Thought Art magazine, Issue 2
2020 The Woodcarvers Gazette, Spring 2020
2019 The Woodcarvers Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 26, Autumn 2019
2019 Masters of Contemporary Wood Art Volume 2, Wood Symphony Gallery,
www.woodsymphony.com
2018 Masters of Contemporary Wood Art Wood Symphony Gallery www.woodsymphony.com
2018 The Woodcarvers Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 21 Summer 2018
2018 Woodworker West, July-August 2018
2011 Woodturning Today, A Dramatic Evolution American Association of Woodturners,
Fox Chapel Publishing Inc.
2008 American Woodturner. Volume 22, Issue 2. “AAW Rolls Out Young Turners Program"
Demonstrations and Lectures
2007 21st annual American Association of Woodturners Symposium, Portland OR.