Joshua Salesin

Fine Contemporary Craft & Ornamental Turning

Photo of "Pattern Bowl" Artwork

"It adds to the mystery of the piece—a tiny cup, the repetitive mathematical pattern incised precisely within its concavity, with a hint of color being continually released from within the density of black."

Describing the Mandala Cup
from "Color", Prentice-Hall 2006

Santa Cruz Woodworkers exhibit

Santa Cruz Woodworkers launched their premier exhibit at the Rittenhouse Building in downtown Santa Cruz in November 2009. On display were more than 40 pieces by members of the group, which is dedicated to fostering appreciation for locally-produced, one-of-a-kind, handmade woodwork. More: Santa Cruz Sentinel Article

Pattern Bowl - Osage Orange

Juror's award

Salesin's "Cosmic Burst" pattern bowl was selected for an award by juror/woodturner John Jordan at the California Contours 2008 show, an exhibition of lathe-turned work showcasing the talent of California woodturners.

AAW magazine cover

Woodturning magazine feature

The Spring 2008 issue of American Woodturner magazine includes the article "Rose-Engine & Kings" in which Salesin's work is shown among several turners whose work was selected for the Wood Turning Center show Rose-Engines and Kings: Contemporary Ornamental Turning 2008 in Philadelphia.

Book Cover

The Art of Jewelry: Wood

Salesin's ornamental turned African blackwood "Wave Bracelet" is one of the works showcased in The Art of Jewelry: Wood. This book features an eye-opening assortment of wood necklaces, bangles, and earrings to make—alongside a gallery of inspirational work from the best contemporary artists. View on Amazon.com

Cultural Council logo

Retrospective exhibit

The evolution of Salesin's woodturning craft and explorations in ornamental turning over the past eight years was exhibited during the 2008 Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour. More than 90 pieces from private collections were displayed.

AAW magazine cover

Woodturning magazine feature

The Fall 2007 issue of American Woodturner magazine includes the article "Instant Gallery – Favorites from Portland" in which Salesin's work is shown among several turners whose work was selected for discussion during the Instant Gallery critique at the national woodturners symposium in Portland, Oregon.

Book Cover

Prentice-Hall book feature

Addressed to artists and art students in all media, Prentice-Hall's 5th edition of Color, by Paul Zelanski, provides an introduction to the many different approaches of understanding color, including aesthetics, science, and psychology. Featured in the book is a photo of Salesin's "Honeycomb" Mandala Cup along with a paragraph detailing the work. View on Amazon.com

book cover

Best of California feature

The Pierced Box Set has been selected for the Best of California book. This is part of a series of spectacular, high quality, large format hardcover books highlighting American artists from various states. View on bestofartists.com

500 Bracelets

Art book feature

500 Bracelets, published by Lark Books in Fall 2005, offers an inspiring collection of extraordinary bracelet designs. This full-color photographic collection of works features Salesin's ornamental turned Wave Bracelet. Now available through Amazon.com and other fine book retailers. View on Amazon.com

Pattern Bowls

Anchorage Daily News review

The Anchorage Daily News reviewed NemoArt Gallery's Neobotannica show in October 2005, featuring a photo of Salesin's Pattern Bowls and describing them as follows: "The small, delicate wood bowls by Joshua Salesin give evidence to his steady, industrious hand through smooth, seamless scoops of air carved into patterns of harmonious balance." They went on to say, "The bowls look perfectly balanced and rhythmic as if mimicking the grain within them."

AAW Fall 2004

Woodturning magazine feature

American Woodturner, Fall 2004, features Salesin's multi-laminate urn and matching container in a full-page spread. The photo gallery of urns includes the work of ten woodturners.

postcard image

Box show award

Salesin's "Lighthouse Box" received third place award in Seattle's Northwest Fine Woodworking's (2009) 30th Annual Box & Container Show. View event page.

AAW magazine cover

Woodturning magazine feature

The Summer 2009 issue of American Woodturner magazine includes the article "Educational Opportunity Grant" in which Salesin's work is shown among several turners whose work was selected for the live auction portion of the fundraising event.

AAW magazine cover

Woodturning magazine feature

The Spring 2009 issue of American Woodturner magazine includes the article "California Contours" Exhibit 2008" in which Salesin's work is shown among several turners whose work was selected for the California Contours 2008 show, an exhibition of lathe-turned work showcasing the talent of California woodturners.

My Design Secrets feature

My Design Secrets – Decorating with Orange adds Zest features Salesin's osage orange pattern bowl. The author notes, "A beautiful bowl on your foyer table makes a statement to guests as they enter your front door." See the article online.

AAW magazine cover

American Woodturner feature

The Spring 2007 issue includes the article "It's a Small World" in which Salesin's work is shown among thirteen ornamental turners who share recent work created using ornamental turning lathes.

AAW logo

AAW symposium selection

From over 1300 pieces at the American Association of Woodturner's 2007 Symposium Instant Gallery, Salesin's Cosmic Burst pattern bowl, along with approximately 20 other pieces, was selected for critique. Well-known turners Stephen Hogbin and Michael Brolly selected and discussed the work stating, "I think this is stunning work, quite extraordinary to look into, the rippled edge, the pattern inside and outside, it all just sings."

Mandala Cup

Artful Life feature

Article by Toni Sikes, founder of The Guild:


Miniature Art Shows Wood Turning at its Finest

    I love big, eye-catching works of art as much as the next person, but over the years I have come to appreciate the artist who creates exquisitely small pieces. These days, I find that some of the most beautiful and fascinating art objects are also the smallest.

    My current favorite miniature-maker is Joshua Salesin, who works in the great tradition of wood turners. Using antique machines and tools that date back to the 1800s, Salesin applies age-old techniques to create exquisitely detailed objects that are less than two inches high. Carving intricate forms and designs in very small pieces of wood requires the utmost patience and skill, something this artist has in spades!

    The result is wood turning at its best – and [Salesin creates] intricately crafted vessels to be admired, touched, examined, and coveted.

View article

2006 Calendar

Art calendar feature

The Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County selected Salesin's "Radiant Trio" to highlight the month of March in their 2006 calendar.

Box Set

First place award

Salesin's Set of Three Pierced Ornamental Boxes with amboyna burl inset lid received the jurors' first place award at Dimensions 2005, in San Luis Obispo, CA. Dimensions 2005 is the 28th annual Juried Exhibition of Fine Craft sponsored by the Central Coast Craftmakers.

500 Wood Bowls

Art book feature

500 Wood Bowls, published by Lark Books in Fall 2004, details three works by Salesin. This sumptuous, full-color photographic collection features 500 masterworks from today's finest contemporary woodcraft artisans. View on Amazon.com

Niche Award 2005

NICHE award finalist

NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for retailers of American craft, honors the outstanding creative achievements of American and Canadian craft artists. Each year, the NICHE Awards recognize individual artists in a number of media and provide a new level of exposure for their extraordinary work. In 2005, Salesin was selected as one of four finalists in the turned wood category.

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