Here is an article published in Friday’s Philadelphia Inquirer. This has been re-posted via their website: http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/153719405.html
Thank you to Victoria Donohoe and the Inquirer for covering our event
Poplar inspires other woodworkers.
Art from a tree at Esherick’s place
By Victoria Donohoe
For The Inquirer
The Wharton Esherick Museum’s exhibition “Poplar Culture, the Celebration of a Tree” at Historic Yellow Springs is an inspired use of a towering tulip poplar that had to be cut down. The end result: the 75 artworks now on display, crafted from the tree that stood outside eminent woodworker Esherick’s studio door on a wooded hill in Paoli.
None of the works at Yellow Springs, which range from large furniture to a little spoon, tell the full story of what can be done when you can’t save a tree. But the 45 nationally known and regional woodworkers and woodturners who were invited to participate all accepted the challenge of creating art from toppled poplar, and now visitors have an opportunity to purchase a piece of Esherick studio history, proceeds to benefit both the Wharton Esherick Museum and Yellow Springs.
The enthusiasm of the artists involved in the unusual project helps further define the image of Wharton Esherick (1887-1970) as an artist with a spark of genius and an enduring spirit extending far beyond his own time. The intimacy and intensity of admiration so many woodworkers today feel toward Esherick contribute to the energy of the pieces on view and to the fresh openness of the show.
While few of these items are memorable as self-sufficient works of art, noteworthy ones are by Jack Larimore, Ray Kelso, Jasper Brinton, David Ebner, Mira Nakashima, Alphonse Mattia, and Shawn Turley. This is a fitting display to be showcased by the now-merged Historic Yellow Springs and Chester Springs Studio – very often the latter group, a Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts offshoot, has had the more consistently vital art exhibits in recent years.
Historic Yellow Springs, 1685 Art School Rd., Lincoln Building, Chester Springs. To June 10. Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4. 610-644-5822. Closed Memorial Day.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/153719405.html#ixzz1wGmMVD00
Please note: Poplar Culture is being hosted by Historic Yellow Springs in Chester Springs, PA, a 15 minute drive from the Wharton Esherick Museum. Visit our website: www.whartonesherickmuseum.org/poplarculture.html for more information or to purchase pieces from the exhibit. (Preference is given to customers purchasing in person over online purchases.)
