Bamberg native Trevor Ewert, an artist, wood turner, instrument-maker, and this year’s Joseph Schneider Haus artist-in-residence, has been recognized by the Kitchener museum as a folk artist of significance. But is “folk artist” how Ewert identifies himself?
“Not particularly, actually. I don’t really identify myself too much other than, ‘Hi, I’m Trevor,’” said Ewert. Still, he added, “It’s a traditional craft, both instrument-making and woodturning – they’re crafts that have been around for many generations.
“I suppose I live in a contemporary world, too, so it’s about being in business in today’s context. I’m not so much a historian, but rather somebody living today, doing something that has been done for a long time, trying to make it work in contemporary times.”
![Artist Trevor Ewert will lead woodworkers on a tour of his Wellesley studio and the surrounding woods, and demonstrate how to make a bowl from a burl.[will sloan / the observer]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/feature-ewert.jpg)
As a child, Ewert fell in love with playing the violin; later, after his father took up building violins as a hobby, Ewert discovered a talent for constructing and selling violin bows. Today, he creates and sells bowls and other woodwork projects, while also pursuing his own muse. The peculiar mixture of artistic interests – solitary and performative, commercial and personal – is currently on display at the Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchener. Each year, the gallery chooses an artist-in-residence to represent traditional craftwork, and this year, Ewert shares the title with his wife, singer/storyteller/artist/puppeteer Sarah Granskou.
In a pair of upcoming events, Ewert will explore the details of his craft. On June 1 from 1-4 p.m., “Walk the Woodlot” will see Ewert leading interested woodworkers on a tour through the Wellesley woods near his woodturning studio.
“We’ll be exploring the forest, looking at different tree varieties and the woods that are most appropriate for woodturning,” Ewert said. The lesson will encompass which woods are stable or easily degrading, what kinds of fungi lead to unique patterns, and how and where burls develop. “I’ll be cutting up a burl with a chainsaw … it’ll make a big noise, and lots of excitement I’m sure,” he deadpanned.
The next weekend, on June 8, also at his woodcutting studio, Ewert will show woodworkers the art and craft of creating bowls from burls.
While Ewert lives with his wife in Kitchener, he often commutes to his parents’ home in Bamberg to use his workshop by the woods. Does he feel that southern Ontario plays a large role in his identity as an artist?
“I think so,” he replied. “With my woodturning business, I’ve made a commitment that I’m going to use the wood that is local, because it’s accessible and because some of it is extremely beautiful.”
The cost of both events is $10, and can be reserved by calling the Joseph Schneider Haus at 519-742-7752. The exhibit “Heartwood: The Arts of Sarah Granskou & Trevor Ewert” is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m., at the Joseph Schneider Haus, 466 Queen St. S.
