Arts on the Green
Ohio
woodturner takes
“Best of Show” in juried art exhibit
Nieviadomski’s
urn
was unanimous choice
amongst show judges
By
Helen McKinney
Contributing Writer
LA GRANGE, Ky. (July 2009) – Tim Niewiadomski
was introduced to woodworking by his grandfather at a young age. The
fascination of creating something with his own two hands out of an inanimate
object turned into a deep passion for woodturning that he still harbors
today, often fashioning breathtakingly beautiful artwork.
 |
|
Photo
provided Akron,
Ohio, resident Tim |
Niewiadomski, 50, on June 6 took “Best of Show”
in the Arts on the Green Fine Arts and Crafts Show in La Grange, Ky.
Not having any formal artistic training, he credits the many hours spent
tinkering in his grandfather’s workshop as the impetus to create
his own one-of-a-kind wooden artwork.
“I use a technique called segmented wood turning,” said Akron,
Ohio, resident Niewiadomski. “Numerous individual pieces of wood
are cut and precisely fitted together to create each piece of art. This
allows the ability to create intricate designs within each piece of
art using various wood species and semi-precious stones that enhance
the natural colors, grains and textures of wood.”
Niewiadomski grew up in Denver, moving to Harperwoods, Mich., in his
late 20s. Because of his employment in the pharmaceutical industry,
he then moved to Indianapolis before finally settling in Akron.
While still employed in the pharmaceutical industry, Niewiadomski said
that his continued interest in woodworking helped him to “relieve
stress at the end of the day.” He operates Studio by Ski from his
home.
Using a variety of wood types in his artwork keeps the designs unique
and fresh. Niewiadomski finds that he is always intrigued by discovering
the figured grains that are exposed when cutting into a large block
of wood, one of the joys of working with wood for him. Many design patterns
can be formed when combining different species and colors of woods into
a single piece of artwork.
“I like combining domestic woods with exotic woods to create interesting
designs,” he said. This was the first year Niewiadomski participated
in the juried Arts on the Green.
“His carved and inlaid wooden “urn” was a unanimous choice
by five judges,” said Arts on the Green event director Marion Gibson.
Arts on the Green is sponsored by the Arts Association of Oldham County.
First place winners were chosen in nine categories. In addition to Niewiadomski,
other winners were: Beverly Morfeld of Louisville (Paintings/Drawings);
Bill Noel of Louisville (Photography); Yu-Chuan Liu of Louisville (Fiber);
Marianne Brown of Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Ceramics); Neal Morris of La Grange
(3-D); Tom Kinney of Westport, Ky. (Jewelry); Ben Bridwell of Pewee
Valley, Ky. (Sculpture); Rita Wooden of Elizabethtown, Ky. (Mixed Media).
Although the majority of artists were from the local area, artists like
Niewiadomski were willing to devote time and expense to travel to participate
in this juried event. Booth space sold out early due to the event’s
ever-growing popularity.
“It was a fabulous show,” said Gibson. “Even much better
attended than last year.”
She credits the events popularity to word-of-mouth exposure. “Many
people commented on the quality and diversity of work this year, since
we had more wood, metal and leather artists,” Gibson said.
Artists like Niewiadomski would have to agree. “Arts on the Green
has been one of the best shows I have attended to date,” he said.
“The venue is unsurpassed on the Courthouse lawn, the staff and
people are very friendly, and the artists all supportive and friendly.”
This is Niewiadomski’s third year of participating in art shows.
He plans to travel to Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania later
this year.
A positive comment many artists make about Arts on the Green echoes
Niewiadomski’s comment, “The atmosphere was relaxed which
allowed me the opportunity to connect with customers.”
• For more information on Tim Niewiadomski’s artwork, visit www.Studio-BySki.com.