How much wood would you like to see at the Alliance Art Gallery? Well, we have magnificent collection! This month, our guest artist is Drew Sutor, a woodworking artist.
Drew Sutor’s passion for woodworking began as a boy growing up in Jonesburg, Missouri, where he crafted little flat bottomed wooden sailboats, floating on the pond behind his home. After graduating from North Missouri State University (today’s Truman State) and Brite Divinity School in Texas, he served in churches in Oklahoma and Missouri for 22 years, taking only a ten-year break to manage his father’s Texaco station.
His passion for woodworking re-emerged when he bought a radial arm saw, housing it in his Palmyra parsonage basement. In his mid-forties, a friend introduced him to the lathe, teaching him to "turn" wood. Loving the challenge, he soon was spinning wood into bowls, rolling pins, and spindles, using his favorites—walnut, cherry, and oak. Since retiring he has expanded his repertoire into cutting boards, boxes, urns, mantle clocks, and whatever friends request (within limits!).
What makes Drew’s work extraordinary and unique are the elaborate and beautiful inlay accents of exotic woods such as weng, cocobolo, and blood wood. Drew claims every species of wood has its own characteristics and "personality”—some wood being more cooperative than others. But all, in his mind, are beautiful and no two (even within the same species) are alike.
Drew’s love of wood shines in each of these masterpieces that offer useful service in the home, beauty to the eye, and an heirloom for the next generation.
Drew and his lovely wife, Karen, celebrate 40 years of marriage this August. They have two grown children—Amber (Jacksonville, Florida) and Matthew (Quincy, Illinois).
Join us in welcoming Drew at an opening reception on Saturday, May 14th from 5 until 8:00. This reception is free and open to the public.
