Augusta artist receives excellence in wood award

By Karen Butterfield, Record Staff Writer

Posted 11/7/19

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Augusta artist receives excellence in wood award

Posted Thursday, November 7, 2019 5:44 pm

By Karen Butterfield, Record Staff Writer

Augusta artist Michael Bauermeister recently won the Excellence in Wood Award at the Smithsonian Craft Show held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.Judges Richard Oedel, Trudi Van Dyke and Ed Grossman, all members of Collectors of Wood Art, evaluated artists self-designated in the category of wood.Bauermeister’s work stood out for his original forms and creative use of wood, his excellent and sometimes mysterious techniques, the mood and feeling created in and through his work, and the development of new series within his recognizable body of work, the Collectors of Wood Art website said.The event features a juried show and sale of works from 121 of the premier U.S. artists in the U.S.Participants were chosen from 1,100 applicants, representing all facets of contemporary design and crafts, including basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art and wood.“This is known as the best craft show in the country for contemporary craft,” Bauermeister said, adding that entry into the show is highly competitive. He has been in the show about 10 times over the years, but this is his first award at that show.There were about 150 exhibitors chosen for the show and about 15 in the wood category.“To get this award was a great honor,” Bauermeister said.Bauermeister has been a woodworker all of his life.He specializes in furniture of carved and painted wood, including sculptural pieces.His work has been featured in several publications and books, such as American Craft, Woodturning, The Arts Live, “Wood Art Today 2”, “Masters-Woodturning,” “500 Wood Bowls” and others.Bauermeister has permanent collections at the Smithsonian Museum, Renwick Gallery, Washington, D.C., Boston Museum of Art, Boston, Mass., Mesa Museum of Contemporary Art, Mesa, Ariz., and other galleries.He will be at the St. Louis Art Fair in Clayton Sept. 9-11. People also may email Bauermeister to visit his studio and see his work, at Michael@Bauermeister.com.

Michael Bauermeister, Augusta, recently was selected as the Excellence in Wood award winner at the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C. Bauermeister is shown at his display with sculptural and wall pieces created from wood. Bauermeister received a cash prize. Submitted Photo.