enrich, inspire, enjoy: Welcome to the homepage of the Mason-Deerfield Arts Alliance!
Congrats to artist Frankie Wheeler on being selected as the winner of Representative Pete Beck's holiday card contest!!
Nine years ago, woodturner, Jim Goethel won a mini-lathe from a local store. Having never used a lathe before, he took a risk and before leaving the store, upgraded to a full size floor model. And so a passion for the craft of woodturning was born.
Jim retired as a Product Manager for a medical product company in 1992. For the next five years, he served as a consultant for that company. That was before he found his talent for woodturning.
Jim tells us that you can start as woodturner rather modestly, but in the end, you'll most likely invest thousands of dollars in equipment.
Jim is a loyal member of the Ohio Valley Woodturners Guild (OVWG) and group of over 200 dedicated woodturners who work to continue to teach and continue the craft of woodturning.
Jim's favorite type of wood to work with is cherry. He says it turns nicely and settles into a lovely cherry color. He is also partial to pear woods and find ambrosia Maple very interesting.
When asked where does he purchases his wood, he says that he keeps his ear out for a chain saw! That means someone is chopping down some kind of tree that can be turned into a useful or decorative bowl. Woodturners also share their resources and donate wood to each other, he says.
Jim says his bowls are meant to be used. Use them for salads, nuts, crackers and chips! Wash them with soap and water and hand dry. Around seven coats of varnish will go overtop one of his bowls.
Jim is an original artist from the first Mason Arts Festival. His first year, he won Best of Show with us! We're happy to have him back for the 4th annual Mason Arts Festival.