Artwood: Carving Out a Spot for Beauty in Fairhaven
Cathy Belben
From Entertainment News Northwest, March 2005

If you ask Artwood manager Erica Hume what makes her space special, she’ll probably tell you about the cadre of woodworkers who have been core members since the group was founded in 1987. Hume has been the director of the co-op since then, and she’s proud of the growth the organization has experienced in that time, the contribution its made to the local art community, and the opportunities it provides for Whatcom and Skagit County carvers to display and sell their work.

Artwood, located at 1000 Harris Avenue in Bellingham’s Fairhaven district, features a wide and impressive assortment of handcrafted wood items from tiny hand-carved animals to complete dining room sets. Almost all of the items are crafted by the thirteen active co-op members, although some local woodworkers and out of state artists also consign their work there. Everything in the store is juried before acceptance, although a fraction of small pieces, such as wooden hair clips, are purchased wholesale.

Hume notes that the inventory at the gallery changes "almost daily." Currently, the gallery is featuring a large, handmade treadle lathe in its storefront, a piece created by co-op member Michael Flaherty. The large, beautiful lathe was originally built in 1986, took Flaherty over 400 hours to construct, and features woods such as cocobolo, rosewood, padauk, koa, and cherry. Work by co-op member Steve Hall is also in abundance-his simple, elegant designs include a cherry/ebony bookcase, a cherry writing desk, and a cherry sideboard.

Unlike many art galleries, where patrons are required to keep a safe distance from the art, Hume says this isn’t true at Artwood. “We want people to touch the chairs,” she says. “It’s sort of an education about how fine woodwork will enhance their lives forever.” Noting the larger pieces like dining room sets, chairs, and bookcases, she says, “These are investments that will be passed down for generations.” 

Artwood’s 15^th annual carving show is an excellent opportunity for Bellingham residents and visitors to get a glimpse-and gain an appreciation for-all this unique organization has to offer. Hume says the show “is the best attended show that we do. People love to see the artists in action."   This year’s event will highlight the work of artisans Mary Stapp, Rocky MacArthur, Thu Nguyen, Frank Hulse, and Andy Searfin. The work of retired school teacher Mary Stapp "has a lot of humor in it," Hume says, and "Andy Searfin does unbelievable dinosaur  skeletons... paleontologists are amazed by his work." Besides displays of finished pieces, the Artwood show will also feature carving demonstrations so visitors can learn more about how fine woodworking is done.  Nearly all of the artists have won awards, Erica Hume says, so a visit to the annual Artwood carving show, held this year on March 12 and 13^th from 12-5 p.m. at the gallery in Fairhaven, is a great opportunity to see excellence in action.