"Alex Wallace's turnings capture the spirit of classical themes, but with a modern twist. His attention to the types of the wood, from the figure to the direction in the grain, adds subtle depth to his complex works. Their sheer size and intricate nature makes them an ideal focal point in any room. He has been showing at Northwest Fine Woodworking for several years, and has not only gotten the attention of our customers, but his fellow woodworkers and artists alike. They are certain to be considered heirlooms in the future." - Nakisha Vanderhoeven, Manager, Northwest Gallery of Fine Woodworking
"I've been lucky to have an entire career in art of various kinds and make a living at it." - Alex Wallace
Alex has over forty years of woodworking artistry under his belt, beginning his professional career as a theater designer and technical director. He quickly became known for his particular expertise in scene painting, printmaking, and the structural and architectural details of working with wood. He turned his first piece (balustrades for "Cyrano de Bergerac") while a graduate assistant at Kent State University (Ohio) in 1960.
My theatre design afforded me the historical research, which I have incorporated into my various styles of wood turning. I learned that I was much happier with the outcome of my pieces once I began designing and drawing plans as I did with theatre sets. The plotting of details, figuring and accurately cutting the angles is a challenge I find almost as exciting as rendering the finished product. I figure my angles to the third decimal point.
For years, Alex felt his work was not of gallery quality. In 1994, his wife Betty took some pieces to Northwest Fine Woodworking in Seattle and they were happy to accept them. He has been showing there ever since.
Alex's art is featured in galleries throughout the Northwest, as well as in numerous international collections as far away as Canada, Colombia, Australia, and Japan. In the summer of 2002, he was selected as an artist for display in the Portland, OR "Street of Dreams" Million Dollar Homes. When the home sold, so did 13 of his pieces.
To experience his work is to be transformed back in time to when true workmanship ruled the world.
Resume
Alex S. Wallace
Master Woodturner
Over forty years of experiences in most areas of wood working. While maintaining a career in scenic design and construction, wood working and graphic art was a constant corollary activity. Woodturning has become the primary focus since 1990.
EDUCATION
1962-65 University of Iowa---Iowa City, Iowa Ph.D. Studies
1960-61 Kent State University---Kent, Ohio M.A.
1958-60 Kansas State Teachers College---Emporia, Kansas B.A.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1996-Present Owner of Wallace Studio, Design
1996-99 Designer The Prop Shop, Portland, Oregon
1992-96 Owner of Wallace Studio, Design and Construction of Scenery
1987-92 Director Scenic Art, Lighting Director, Ziegfeld Theatre, Bally's, Reno, Nevada
1971-87 Professor Theatre/Head Scene Design, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
1970-71 Assistant Professor Theatre/Scene Designer Technical Director
Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon
SELECTED WOODWORKING ACHIEVEMENTS
Gallery representation in:
Phoenix, Arizona
Reno, Nevada
Bend, Oregon
Seaside, Oregon
Newport, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Seattle, Washington
Bellevue, Washington
Cannon Beach, OR
Astoria, OR
Selected juried shows or special recognition
Nevada Governor's Conference, Art in the Pearl, Street of Dreams, Corvallis, OR
Presbyterian Church 50th anniversary recognition, Corvallis Art Center 40th anniversary
Works in private collections
United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Colombia
Scenic Theatre Designs produced
Portland, OR Reno
NV Lake Tahoe, CA
Bogota, Colombia
Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
Miami, FL
SELECTED SCENE DESIGN
La Navidad Corporcion Ninos Cantores. Bogota, Colombia - 2001
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes La Fundacion Gente de Teatre. Bogota, Colombia - 1995
Peter Pan La Fundacion Gente de Teatro, Bogota, Colombia - 1993
George M Emerald Theatre, Lake Tahoe, California - 1993
Catch A Rising Star (Comedy Club) - 1990
Three Dimensional Old West Town, Mazda - 1990
Practical 36' Diner, McRand Corp. - 1989
Re-design Living Curtain, Bally's Hello Hollywood - 1988
The Comedy of Errors, Oregon State University - 1987
The Man From La Mancha, Oregon State University - 1986
Merchant of Venice, Oregon State University - 1983
Something's Afoot, Oregon State University - 1981
A Streetcar Named Desire, Oregon State University - 1981
Shadow Box, Oregon State University - 1980
The Miser Oregon State University - 1979
She Stoops to Conquer, Oregon State University - 1979
Stop the World I Want to Get Off, Oregon State University - 1979
SELECTED LIGHTING DIRECTION AT ZIEGFELD THEATRE
Dean Martin, Julio Iglesias, Smokey Robinson
Frank Sinatra, Moscow Circus, Engelbert Humperdinck
Liza Minelli, Wayne Newton, The Four Tops
Paul Anka, Anne Murray, Broadway Road Company of Cats
Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis, Tom Jones
Barbara Mandrell, Randy Travis
SELECTED INDUSTRIAL AND TELEVISION LIGHTING DESIGNS
FTD Coors Nissan
Kawasaki Miss Nevada Pageants Wide World of Sports (ABC)
Ford New-Holland USA TV Boxing Special Gymnastics Special
