Jean McLaughlin
Contemporary Curator

Woodworkers use a material that is ubiquitous, strong, and easily shaped by tools. Wood may be beautifully finished to reveal its grain that harkens back to its origin as a living thing. Fine woodworking is characterized by precise fit and extremely careful measurement. Each wood has its specific color, density, weight and smell.

Kathleen Mundell
Traditional Artists Curator

For many traditional artists, “knowing your materials” is the hallmark of mastery.

The selection of just the right materials has both aesthetic and practical implications. In many ways, knowledge of materials is as important as knowing how to work the wood. Such knowledge requires a high degree of environmental literacy, knowing just what to look for in a tree and comes from years of gathering materials. The traditional artist also knows what type of wood is the best for specific uses, shapes and forms.