PORT TOWNSEND — A celebration of the art and craft of woodworking this weekend will provide a look at unique products that will never appear in any store.
The sixth annual Port Townsend Woodworkers Show will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday — coinciding with the monthly downtown art walk — and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St.
Admission is free.
“This show is about letting local people see the work of their neighbors,” said Seth Rolland, one of the event’s organizers.
“For the most part, a lot of us are in a workshop alone, and what we make is shipped across town or across the country, and no one sees what we do.”
Thirty exhibitors
About 30 exhibitors will be showing their work this year, including new and returning artists.
Categories featured include furniture makers, carvers, boll turners and instrument makers.
Rolland expects that between 1,500 and 1,800 people will attend the show.
Both the Port Townsend School of Woodworking and Chimacum High School’s woodworking program also will be represented.
Rolland said Port Townsend is a good place to be a woodworker since there are educational opportunities at the Wooden Boat School and the School of Woodworking at Fort Worden.
It isn’t an easy vocation.
“You have to be self-motivated,” Rolland said.
“It helps if you do unique work, since you can’t compete with IKEA when it comes to making standard furniture.”
A woodworker who produces unique designs that can be delivered or installed can make a living in Port Townsend, he said.
Another advantage to Port Townsend is the large quantity of high-quality local wood, though not all types are available.
Rolland doesn’t really like talking about his work.
“We aren’t a real expressive group,” he said.
“That’s why you need to come out and see our work because that’s where the expression is.”
Woodworkers Ball
Before the show will be the annual Woodworkers Ball from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. today at the USO Hall at Fort Worden State Park.
Billed as a “A Black Tie and Carhartts Affair,” the just-for-fun dessert social and dance is presented by the Port Townsend School of Woodworking.
In addition to combining formal and work wear, past costumes have included a prom dress with a nail belt and a simple black cocktail dress with a Carhartts label attached.
Acoustic string band Airstream Traveler will perform, and a caller will be on hand to guide dancers through some of the moves.
Tickets are $10 at the door, and dessert will be provided.
For more information about the show, visit www.splintergroup.org or phone 360-379-0414.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
