Furniture Artist

Arthur believes furniture should move beyond utilitarian into the realm of functional art. He uses time proven traditional woodworking techniques to create contemporary furniture forms. Like any artistic medium, Arthur wants his furniture to evoke an emotional response, unique to the viewer.

History

Born and raised on the prairies, this Saskatchewan artist has traveled from coast to coast to coast to have people, places, nature, and art echo in his furniture design. Woodwork and furniture making have been part of Arthur’s life since the early 1980’s. Arthur carefully designs and builds his furniture, signing and dating each individual piece. He currently sits on the Emma International Art Collaboration Committee selecting by invitation only participants and forming policy for the bi-annual international event.

Notable Appearances

In 2015 Arthur was featured on the cover of Canadian Woodworking Magazine in which he contributed an article and exclusive video.

Canada House, the Canadian embassy located in Trafalgar Square, London, U.K., commissioned Arthur as a feature artist in 2014 to create a credenza for the “Saskatchewan Room”.

In 2007 Arthur was honored to be chosen as a Saskatchewan Arts Board juror, and in 2006, Arthur was selected as a Juror of Fine Craft for the Canada Council for the Arts.

Exhibitions

2016 – “Emma Bound” – group show, Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon
2015 – “Function To Fantasy” – group show, Slate Gallery, Regina
2014 – “Put A Wedge In It” – invitational show, Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon
2014 – “A Show About Nothing” – group show, Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon
2012 – “Decoy” – group show, Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon
2012 – “Dookie Show” – SCYAP gallery, Saskatoon
2011 – “Prairie Scene” – represented Saskatchewan as visual artist, Ottawa
2010 – “Artifact”-group show- Saskatchewan Craft Council
2009 – “Artfullness”-one of six North American artists chosen to produce public artwork during the Ness Creek Festival
2009 – “Playing With Dimensions”-juried exhibition, touring show, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland
2009 – “Erotic Craft Show”- Saskatchewan Craft Council/Positive Passions
2008 – “Shaping Saskatchewan Wood“-Saskatchewan Forest Centre, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
2008 – “Dimensions Growth“-juried exhibition, touring show, Saskatchewan
2006 – “Emma Perfect/ Perfect Emma”- Saskatchewan Craft Council
2006 – “Dimensions”-juried exhibition, touring show, Saskatchewan
2004 – “Artists Advance/Retreat”-collaborative show,
Saskatchewan Craft Council
2003 – Royal Canadian Academy of Artists-collaborative show, Kenderdine Gallery, Saskatchewan
2002 – “Dimensions”-juried exhibition, touring show, Saskatchewan
2002 – “Small Object Show”-group show- Saskatchewan Craft Council
2000 – “The Face of Craft”- touring show, Saskatchewan

Education

• Emma Invitational International Artist’s Collaborative-
Emma Lake /Ness Creek, Saskatchewan
• Emma Collaborative- 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2004, 2002, 2000
• Conservation and Collaboration- 1996
• Contemporary Woodturning and Furniture Design- 1994
• “Emma Beats The Blues” – Collaborative Artist’s Workshop,
Lumsden, Saskatchewan 2003- Co-Coordinator
• “More Big Fun” – Collaborative Artist’s Workshop, Saskatchewan
2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009
• Furniture Society Conferences:
• Furniture 2005 “The Other Side: A Tradition Of Alternatives
San Diego, California
• Furniture 2004“Embracing Technology + Honoring Tradition”
Savannah, Georgia
• Furniture 2003 “Influence and Authorship”
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Furniture 2002 “Prairie Roots- Progressive Thoughts”
Madison, Wisconsin
• Furniture 2001 “ A Cultural Odyssey”
Tempe, Arizona
• Furniture 2000 “Old and New Communities”
Toronto, Ontario
• Furniture Design 2000- Brandon, Manitoba
• North Bennett Street School-Shaker Box Making-1994
• Boston, Massachusetts (Oldest trade school in North America)

Grants and awards

•Sheila Hugh McKay Foundation, 2000
Awarded to 5 emerging Canadian artists in promotion of their careers