Northville Rotary’s 13th Annual Woodworking & Fine Arts Weekend

Nothing Beats Northville Rotary’s Fun-filled, Annual ARTS Festival!

Piano hammers by Neil Pedersen, Steel ‘n Wood artist

WRITTEN BY WENDY HOBDAY HAUGH | PHOTOS PROVIDED

If you find yourself seeking artistic inspiration and a chance to visit dozens of incredibly diverse mini-galleries on a warm summer’s day, head to the Village of Northville the weekend of July 15-17 for Northville Rotary’s Thirteenth Annual Woodworking and Fine Arts Weekend. This free, hugely popular indoor/outdoor event, held at the Bradt Municipal Building and Town Park at 412 S. Main Street, offers an amazing array of handcrafted

The Northville Northampton Historical Museum, a former one-room schoolhouse adjacent to the Bradt building.

items as well as the chance to converse one-on-one with more than 60 accomplished artists in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Northville Rotary’s Woodworking and Fine Arts Weekend provides people with the perfect opportunity to browse, shop, and rekindle their own creativity as they mingle with painters, photographers, weavers, Adirondack furniture makers, chain saw sculptors, woodworkers, potters, stained glass artists, jewelry makers and more, all eager to discuss what they do and how they do it.

This festive three-day show, sponsored by the Northville Rotary, begins with a “Meet the Artists” reception Friday afternoon from 5-8:00 PM. It reopens Saturday from 9-4:00 and Sunday from 10-3. In addition to dozens of diverse displays, the event offers demonstrations, raffles, live music, concession stands, and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event help to fund Northville Rotary’s many year-round projects, including student scholarships, supporting other community events and organizations, and contributing to projects initiated by Rotary International. Each year, two participants are chosen to be the show’s Featured Artists. Spotlighted this year are Diane Castle Babcock, a linoleum block printmaker from Penfield, NY, and Neil Pedersen, a Galway craftsman who designs and builds creations using unique combinations of wood and steel. In her linoleum block prints, Diane Castle Babcock uses a process called reduction printing: a relief printing technique in which just one piece of linoleum is used to create a multicolored print. Working from lightest to darkest colors, the artist gradually removes, or reduces, more and more of the block with each sequential layer of color. “I have produced linoleum block print landscapes inspired by the Adirondacks and upstate New York for 40 years,” the artist explains. “My linoleum block prints include landscapes of night scenes, mountains, and white birch trees.” After retiring from a 15-year teaching career in Boonville, Babcock began working part-time at Monroe Community College in Rochester. “I just love working with students,” she says, “and by working fewer hours now, I can devote more time to my art.” Neil Pedersen can’t remember a time when he wasn’t creating something with wood. “I started woodturning when I was 10 years old, using a wood lathe and hand-held tools,” he recalls, “and I worked as a contractor for many years. Now that I’m retired, I use my cabinet shop as my artist’s studio.” Learning to weld had long been on Pedersen’s ‘bucket list.’ A few years back, he finally took the plunge and accomplished his goal. Armed with this newly-acquired skill, Pedersen began combining wood and steel to create wildly imaginative art like his piano hammer piece and guitar. “If you can dream it, I can make it—I can probably make it,” he amends. “The crazier, the better. I only do one-off pieces.”

Bird’s nest by Neil Pedersen, Steel ‘n Wood artist. Stained glass creations by Carolyn Wilcox.

Featured artist Diane Babcock at work in her tent.

Great Sacandaga by Diane Castle Babcock, linoleum block printer.

Rustic Adirondack furniture by Russ Gleaves. Outdoor beverage tables by Van and MaryAnn Johnson.

Stained glass artist Carolyn Wilcox of Hope looks forward every year to taking part in Northville’s three-day arts festival. “Northville Rotary is a good organization, and its woodworking show organizers treat their artists really well. Rotary does a lot for our community, and it’s a joy to participate with them.” Woodworkers Van and MaryAnn Johnson of Greenfield Center couldn’t agree more. “There is always a lot of support from the event organizers and a large turnout of people from the community and beyond. We’re always happy to support the club’s fundraising efforts.” Northville Rotary’s Thirteenth Annual Woodworking and Fine Arts Weekend takes place July 15-17, rain or shine. So gather friends and family together and head to the Village of Northville for an event you’ll find yourself eagerly revisiting year after year! To learn more, visit: northvillerotary.com Neil Pedersen may be reached at steelnwood65@gmail.com To see Diane Castle Babcock’s distinctive Adirondack linoleum block prints, cards, and birch bark frames, visit www.dianeslinoleumprints.com or her Facebook Page: Diane Castle Babcock, printmaker. SS