The SAWS Fine Works In Wood Exhibition 2023
It is recognized as the top woodworking exhibition in Western Canada with incredible craftsmanship, artistry and creativity. In 2023 woodworkers, artists, students and anyone interested from the general public will come together to admire, to support, to dream and to learn at the Southern Alberta Woodworkers Society (SAWS) Fine Works in Wood Exhibition, Sept. 1 to 10 in Southcentre Mall in Calgary, Alberta. This year celebrates 40 years of leadership by SAWS. Take a tour of the 2023 show here.
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40 Years of Fine Woodworking 1983 - 2023
Welcome to a remarkable journey through four decades of woodworking excellence. This year’s exhibition marks a milestone of 40 years, dedicated to uniting individuals who share an unwavering passion for the art of woodworking. As you peruse the exquisite pieces on display, you’ll witness the culmination of years of dedication, creativity, and mastery.
Since its inception, this community has grown into a vibrant tapestry of woodworkers, encompassing both seasoned artisans and aspiring talents. The shared devotion to crafting beauty from timber has not only produced stunning works but has also cultivated a space for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Each piece presented here tells a story of hands meticulously shaping wood, of countless hours spent refining techniques, and of the deep-rooted joy that comes from transforming a raw material into a work of art.
This exhibition serves as a testament to the enduring bonds formed over shared experiences. From the graceful curves of turned bowls to the intricate details of fine furniture, these creations encapsulate the heart and soul of woodworking. As you explore the craftsmanship on display, we invite you to immerse yourself in the legacy of passion that these artisans have cultivated over the years. Join us in celebrating the remarkable journey of 40 years, where wood has been more than just a medium—it’s been a canvas for dreams, a vessel for expression, and a bridge that has connected kindred spirits in the name of artistry.
Letter From The Chair
On behalf of the Southern Alberta Woodworkers Society (SAWS) I would like to welcome you to our biennial Fine Works in Wood Exhibition and Sale.
The 2023 exhibition will be our largest to date following the cancellation of the 2021 event due to the Covid19 pandemic. Fifty-eight pieces by twenty-four different makers have earned the right to be included in this year’s exhibition. This is a juried event; after passing a standards review each piece has been judged by a panel of qualified professionals ensuring that the best works are recognized as award winners.
This year, SAWS celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Since its inception in 1983 our purpose has been to bring before the public fine examples of woodwork. The SAWS membership is an eclectic mix of professionals and amateurs alike, all with the same goal of designing and constructing wonderful objects in the most beautiful of renewable natural resources we all know and love (wood). SAWS is always looking for aspiring woodworkers to join. Information about membership and activities can be found on our website at www.saws.ca.
I would like to extend our appreciation to our host (Southcentre Mall) and to our sponsors of this year’s exhibition. Also, I would like to thank our hard-working exhibition committee members, the standards committee, jurists, photographer and all SAWS members who have contributed so much to make this a success. Finally, a big thank-you goes to all the makers who have given their time and talents to creating these inspiring pieces of woodwork. Without you it would not be possible.
I hope you enjoy your experience at the SAWS Fine Works in Wood Exhibition and Sale.
Tom Gorman
2023 Exhibition Chair
Exhibition Catalogue
Exhibition Standards Committee
A Standards Committee is appointed to ensure that a high level of woodworking craftsmanship is attained by all entries.
Herm Stolte (Standards Chairman) is a founding member of SAWS, a former Industrial Education teacher and a professional woodworker specializing in custom turning, furniture repair and artistic turnings. He has an interest in wood as a material and in wood identification. He resides in Calgary.
Dave Ross has been a SAWS member since 1995. Operated a woodworking business for over 20 years. Enjoys hiking and backcountry skiing. Currently retired.
Bill Maniotakis is a hobby woodworker and maker with no formal training in woodworking. He joined SAWS in 2008 after attending the 2007 Exhibition and entered works in every exhibition since then. Bill has served eight years on the board as Treasurer, chaired the 2013 exhibition and has been on the standards committee since 2017.
Fred Coates is 70 years old and began working with wood to build tree forts using nails, lodgepole pine, and repurposed concrete forms. He is perpetually grateful for the support and freely shared knowledge that he has encountered as a member of SAWS. The consistent quality of work presented every two years has remained a constant source of inspiration for him in his creative endeavors.
Exhibition Jury Committee
An independent Jury consisting of art and design professionals is appointed to judge the accepted entries on originality of design, choice of materials, artistic merit, professionalism of presentation and craftsmanship. Based on this, the Jurors go on to determine which pieces merited Awards in each category.
Ed Marchand (Jury Marshall) is a retired Calgary school superintendent and the President of SAWS. As the Jury Marshal he gave instructions to the Jury according to the criteria laid out by the Exhibition Committee. This enabled the Jury members to use their artistic expertise to give out the various awards.
Bayot Heer has been designing and creating jewellery for over 30 years, the last 17 years as the owner of b heer jewellery. Prior to his current carrier he apprenticed in his native Switzerland and worked as a cabinet maker for 10 years.
Bayot creates bespoke jewellery and original designs for galleries located across Canada.
He currently lives with his wife in Cochrane and works out of his home studio.
His work has garnered several national and international awards.
Corinne Cowell is a visual artist using paint and mixed media fibre. Having received her BFA with distinction from the Alberta College of Art and Design (now Alberta University of the Arts), she then ran her own graphic design company where she won several awards for her work. After pausing to raise her young family, Corinne chose to commit to creating and promoting fine art and craft. She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions; her work is represented in several Alberta galleries and has been published in Canadian journals.
Corinne is the Retail Coordinator for the Alberta Craft Gallery in Calgary where she works with more than 75 fine craft artists and is an active part of the jury process that considers new work for their retail spaces in both Calgary and Edmonton. Bottom line: ‘Craftsmanship’ informs her life.
James Clark graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture in 1999. He continued at McGill, obtaining his Masters in Architecture, following which he moved on to the University of Cambridge where he obtained a Masters of Criminology. In 2004 he moved to Calgary Alberta in order to continue his career in architecture. Jamie has worked on numerous project types including residential, commercial and office, and spent just under ten years at one of western Canada’s largest architecture firms, where he was a studio lead.
Outside of the office Jamie is active as a photographer and visual artist, and is active in Calgary’s arts community.
Award Winners
Best Overall - 1st Place, Best Furniture Category
Best Overall - 3rd Place
Best Overall - Honourable Mention
Best Overall - Honourable Mention
Sponsors
SAWS sends its thanks to everyone who played a role in ensuring the success of this exhibition
Oxford Properties Group for hosting and promoting the Exhibition at the Southcentre Mall.
Deltatee Enterprises Ltd for hosting the Photographer, Standards Committee and Jury Committee for the evaluation process and protography of each piece entered into the exhibition.
Howard Mah for photography of exhibition pieces.
Exhibition Volunteers
Tom Gorman - Exhibition Chair
Barry Blatz - Assistant Photographer
Brian Graham - Display Planning
Darrell Aunger - Entries Coordinator
Dave Old - Deputy Chair & Secretary
Ed Marchand - SAWS Chair
Graydon O’Blenes - Website
Herm Stolte - Quality Planning
Ian Neuhaus - Document Preparation
Jared Howkins - Communications Chair
Kristian Tange - Communications
Lou Girard - Treasurer & Scribe
Neil Dorin - Social Media
Terry Hockaday - Communications
Media Coverage
Global News Hour at 6 Calgary
Calgary Citizen
CTV News Calgary
Exhibition Poster
Exhibition Committee Final Report
Call for Entries document