Mark Murakami is an amateur furniture maker and woodturner located in Calgary, Alberta.   While he enjoys many different types of wood turning, segmented turning is of particular interest to him because of the creativity, precision and attention to detail that is required.

Each piece is unique based on the design and arrangement of the segments as well as the natural variations found in the wood itself.  He uses numerous different hardwoods in trying to create attractive yet simple pieces – characterized by traditional shapes with simple lines.

One of Mark’s pieces (pictured below) was selected by the Southern Alberta Woodworkers Society for inclusion in their 2007 Fine Works in Wood Exhibition.  This was a juried exhibition where entries are chosen for display based on a judging and review process involving a Standards Committee as well as an independent jury.

Rich is a retired school principal who has always enjoyed working with wood as a hobby.  Nine years ago he discovered the creativity that a wood lathe, chisels and a piece of firewood can inspire.

He also enjoys the continued study of vessel design, many different turning techniques, as well as the properties of different woods.  He tries to leave a piece of Mother Nature in most of his works.  He has advanced his art by incorporating carving, dying, painting, burning and filling voids with rock to make his pieces unique.

Each piece is unique in itself as Mother Nature dictates much of the shape.  Besides the many functional pieces such as salad and nut bowls, he creates many decorative pieces for the dining room table, entrance way, mantels etc.