Woodworking becomes career for studio art alumnus
³𱹾Reiswig’10 always enjoyed his art classesas a student atThe College of Wooster, he never consideredit as an occupation until the summer between his sophomore and junior.During that time,heworked as aresearch assistant for his advisor,Walter Zurko,professoremeritusofart. “Theshort apprenticeship was extremely educational and allowed me to hone my skills,”Reiswigsaid. “Walterwas an example for me of someone who had made a career using his mind, his hands,and his heart in equal measure.”
Reiswigisworking out ofhisfully equippedhome studioin Port Townsend, Washington.Hecreditstheinternshiphe had aftergraduatingfor building his confidence. “After graduation, I was hired as a summer workshop intern at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado,”Reiswigsaid. “The summer was spent assisting in multiple workshops taught by very talented artists from all over the country, which was an extreme boost for my development as an artist.”Having grown up in rural Ohio,Reiswigdecidedto experience life in a big city by moving to Chicagoand spent time assistingestablished artists,namely JohnPreus, a fellow woodworker,andTheasterGates,whose career was rapidly ascending at the time.Reiswigaided ina variety of projects, including customwood furniture and interiors.“Working inҲٱ’studio was very engaging, but after five yearsI decided to move on to make my own work for a living,”Reiswigsaid.
In addition towood sculpting, the Wooster graduate is a faculty instructor at the Port Townsend School of Woodworking.“It eventually became clear to me that teaching would be one of the best ways for me to become a better and more knowledgeable woodworker, and a better communicator when it comes to explaining what my work is about and what it takes to create any given piece,”Reiswigsaid. “Teaching has also been a good way for me to promote other things that I care about, such as respect for one another and our environment.”
Reiswigcreditedthe College’s emphasis on writing—whether for class or I.S.ǰhelping him becomea bettercommunicator as an artist and teacher.“I think Wooster’s general focus on writing has benefitted me way more than I would ever have realized at the time,”headmitted.“Now I am a confident writer, and that has played a big part in any amount of success I’ve had post-graduation.”
Reiswigoffered advice for current studentsconsidering a career in art. “Working as an artist may require also working some jobs that aren’t so fun,” he said, “but if you set goals for yourself, stay determined, and continue to step outside of your comfort zone, in time,you will come closer to the place you want to be.”
Kevin Reiswig ’10 holding a piece of furniture he crafted
Posted in Alumni on January 8, 2021.
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