Wendell Robinson's Collection Miniatures Span Decades of His Work
Miniature pieces of wooden furniture inspired by the Shaker style of fine craftsmanship comprise a collection produced by Wendell Robinson that will be on exhibit June 11 through Aug. 3 at Wilmington College’s Harcum Art Gallery.
PICTURED: Harcum Gallery Curator Hal Shunk displays a Shaker-style letterbox that part of Wendell Robinson's exhibit.
Normal gallery hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with special hours coordinated by curator Hal Shunk, professor of art. The exhibit also will be open for viewing during the College-Community Summer Theatre productions in mid-July.
Robinson has been crafting half to quarter-scale pieces of Shaker furniture for more than 30 years, since graduating from Dayton Art Institute and taking over part of a downtown Dayton warehouse that houses his art studio.
The smaller versions of such popular pieces as cupboards, chests and rockers present a challenge to the master woodworker as he takes his designs from authentic Shaker furniture as depicted in books, photographs and his own visits to museums featuring the expertly crafted items.
He’s secured such fine wood as Tiger Maple, cherry. walnut and oak from auctions, lumberyards and even old barns deconstructed for the fine hardwoods. Many items in the exhibit will be for sale.
