June 5–26, 2026 @ Johnson County Center for the Arts
The Johnson County Center for the Arts’June featured artists show, Going with the Grain, celebrates the craftsmanship and creativity of its wood artists.
Going with the Grain includes a wide range of wood art categories, from bowl turning to abstract sculpture and showcases these artists' extensively practiced techniques. It is easy to see the deep passion they have for this medium.
One of the Center for the Arts original artist and wood turner, Lyn Walker, combines his knowledge of wood varieties with unique finishes to create one of a kind objects. His bowls and vases are examples of fine wood craft. Fellow turner Bjørn Svensen, originally from Norway, creates classic bowl shapes with beautifully textured woods.
Other wonderfully designed wood objects and pieces will be highlighted in Going with the Grain. Box maker Curtis McCorsley teams up with his wife Cyndi, to hand craft boxes from exotic and domestic hardwoods. Their wooden gift boxes, jewelry boxes, Bible boxesand more are designed and constructed to last through the generations as a family heirloom. Their solid wood box body, frameand panel have no stains, dyesor nails. They use the occasional imperfections in the wood to enhance the beauty of the box. "I can’t imagine a wormy chestnut top without the worm holes," says Curtis.
Engraver Bill Brown uses multiple techniques to carve and inscribe his plaques, boxesand charcuterie boards. Many are inspired by natural and spiritual themes. Artist Allan Foschino enjoys looking at the history of the wood as he repurposes it to make frames and art. And carver Dennis Henson happily shares the craft of turning saplings into his iconic Old Man of the Woods walking sticks.
Artist Jeremy Garrish describes his journey into woodworking as“a shared adventure with my wife, fueled by a passion for finding and rescuing old pieces of furniture.” Garrish now has expanded his repertoire from simple repurposing to the precision of woodturning and custom furniture design. Wood artist Delbert Goff from Abingdon said,“I began working in the wood arts with a goal to make a few simple pieces of furniture and that goal grew into a lifelong pursuit of shaping functional and artistic pieces that highlight the natural beauty of the wood.”
Going with the Grain also highlights wood artists that focus on more conceptual works. George Sanfilippo says of his work, "although I occasionally create a deliberately functional piece, I have over the past few years sought to abandon obvious functionality, allowing the viewer to create the function. The goal is to design objects that cause thought and invite questions and wonder. Playfulness becomes usefulness." The works of artist Gino Di Dio, originally from Naples, Italy, represent a synthesis of his painterly sensibilities and technical understanding of wood, resulting in abstract sculptures that explore the intersection of natural material and artistic expression.
The show opens with a celebration Friday, June 5 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Johnson County Center for the Arts’Gallery on Main at 129 W. Main St, Mountain City, Tennessee. There will be live local music and light refreshments.
Category: Exhibits