Current news about Joshua Salesin's ornamental turning

2024 - 2022

current news

2024

Balance show

15 Mar 2024Exhibit, Works

I received an invitation to create a piece for the AAW show and benefit auction with the theme of Balance. I produced "Equilibrium" in pink ivorywood turned on the rose-engine lathe, along with these thoughts about the work: Without imbalance there would be no way to know balance. After the Covid pandemic, we’ve gone from one extreme to another ...static to dynamic, introversion now radiating outward. This piece alludes to those opposing forces, shifting, seeking that elusive balance and settling into equilibrium. The Balance exhibit will be on display at the AAW’s Gallery of Wood in Saint Paul, Minnesota, before traveling to the AAW symposium in Portland, Oregon, May 23-26, 2023 where it will be auctioned to raise funds for AAW's Professional Outreach Program.

AAW benefit auction

25 May 2023Auction, Works

Open for all to watch or bid, the American Association of Woodturners' Live Benefit Auctions feature an exciting mix of unique small-scale works created by a roster of national and international established, mid-career, and emerging artists. Included this year at the AAW symposium in Portland was my "Equalibrium" Vessel in pink ivorywood.

2023

Open Studio Exhibit

14 October 2023Exhibit, Works, Workshop

So happy to be part of the Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour this year! I'll be sharing the details of my studio, process and a variety of work during two weekends in October. I'll be exhibiting along with three other artists in metal, sculpture and ceramics on the westside near UCSC (in addition to the 322 artists across Santa Cruz County). Looking forward to seeing everyone again between 11am and 5pm on October 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd.

20 years in galleries!

12 September 2023Exhibit, Works

Twenty years ago, this month of September, my turned boxes were first shown at Northwest Fine Woodworking gallery in Seattle, WA. Within a couple months, another eight galleries added my work, including the esteemed Del Mano Gallery in Los Angeles along with a coveted spot in their Small Treasures show! Today, the brick and mortar galleries are all but gone so I enjoy sharing my work in juried shows and special events such as this year's Open Studio tour!

20 years ago: More lathes!

24 April 2023Workshop

Twenty years ago, this month of April, my efforts to find ornamental turning machines continued to yield dividends! I was the successful bidder at a tool auction in Pennsylvania and was rewarded with an 1850’s Mills Rose Engine from Clerkenwell, London. Of course, it required some restoration to bring it back to working order. Then, over the next several months, I experimented extensively with all three recently acquired OT machines, producing some of my first boxes, various jewelry items combining wood and metalwork, and early designs for what eventually came to be known as the Mandala Cup Series.

20 years ago: My first OT lathe!

16 March 2023Workshop

Twenty years ago, this month of March, my first ornamental lathe arrived – a Plant straightline engine purchased from Sobel Machinery in NJ. Within days I caught “the fever” as I quickly became fascinated by the history and possibility of these ornamental machines. Within a month, I purchased a Leinhard-style rose engine from a jewelry firm in NYC. Before long, I was completely immersed in a new phase of my woodturning that I hoped would eventually enable me to elevate my work from craft to art!

2022

American Woodturner feature

1 June 2022In Print, Works

Delighted to be featured in the June 2022 issue of American Woodturner magazine article about "The Space Between" Professional Outreach Program (POP) Exhibition and auction. Included are a sampling of pieces from this year's show featuring smale-scale work by 46 artists from 10 countries and 14 states. The items were on display and auctioned at the AAW's 36th Annual International Woodturning Symposium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 23-26.

Bridging the Gap show

25 April 2022Exhibit, Works

Feeling honored to have my Ornamental Wand selected for the American Association of Woodturners annual member exhibition, Bridging the Gap: The Craft and Art of Woodturning. The show featured twenty-seven artists from four countries and 16 states whose work was showcased at the AAW Symposium in Chattanooga June 23-26, and is now at the AAW Gallery of Wood Art in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 2 to December 27, 2022. View Ornamental Wand can in greater detail | Visit exhibit website

The Space Between show

27 March 2022Exhibit, Works

On display at the AAW Gallery of Wood Art in St. Paul, MN, the annual AAW small-scale woodturning show and auction brings together the talented voices of established and emerging artists from around the globe. This year, 46 artists from 10 countries and 14 states brought their technical and interpretive skills to the theme "The Space Between." The exhibition concluded at the AAW Symposium with a live online auction. Exhibit website

This is Now show

3 March 2022Exhibit, Works

Excited to be showing recent work along with many local artists at three galleries throughout the county! My work was shown at Curated, Contemporary Art Gallery in downtown Santa Cruz, March 3rd to April 10th.