Profile

Mark Whitley Kentucky woodworker


Watch Mark in his studio- a Bluegrass & Backroads interview.
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Watch a Kentucky Life video segment about Mark.

Read the Kentucky Homes & Gardens May/June 2011 article
or download the pdf (refer to pages 32-35)

Sam Maloof and Mark Whitley 2008

Mark Whitley & Sam Maloof 2008spring table original by Mark Whitley Smiths Grove KY

Handcrafted table by Mark Whitley
Big Head sculpture woodwork by Mark Whitley KY rocking chair woodwork by Mark Whitley KYRiver chest woodwork by Mark Whitley KY

I approach furniture as functional pieces of art. As a studio craftsman, my primary focus is directed on the holistic aesthetics of the piece: the way each piece of wood is joined in harmony with the others, the relationship of the top with the back, the sides with the shelves, and the doors with the whole of the piece. Curves and different species of wood are used in a sparingly and thoughtfully intentional manner so as to enhance the feel of a piece of furniture and keep with the integrity of the design.

Having found inspiration from craftsmen such Garry Knox Bennett and Sam Maloof, in 2004, I read a book called The Impractical Cabinetmaker by James Krenov (Linden 1999). It was an event that would forever change the way I approached work, and the way I perceived furniture design and building. The little cabinet on the left was number one. It started with some interesting curly cherry and avodire. This was the first time I truly paid attention to the way glass was divided - taking the shelf into consideration - and the first time I moved to traditional oil finishes. I am proud of the many pieces I built before this little cabinet, but I have since become an entirely different woodworker. Suddenly my shop is a studio, and my work is called art.

Curriculum Vitae

Born
1975    Bowling Green, KY

Married
2005    

Education
1998    Bachelor of Arts Degree- Peace Studies/Religious Studies
           Chapman University, Orange, CA

Professional Experience
1999 to Present-   Studio Craftsman
1999      Prototype Builder, Corman, Lexington, KY

Professional Affiliations
2009-2010 President, ArtWorks: A Viausl Arts Coalition, Bowling Green, KY
2008   The Furniture Society, Active Member
ArtWorks- A visual art coalition, Bowling Green, KY Active Member
2007  
Chosen for KY Craft Marketing Program’s Platinum 10 Project
2006    
Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, Active Member
Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, Active Member
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft Gallery Shop Artist Member

Exhibits
2011
2011 Best of Show- Kentucky Crafted: The Market, Louisville, KY

The American Craft Council Show Atlanta, GA

2010
Award of Excellence, Woodland Art Fair, Lexington KY

World Equestrian Games, Lexington, KY

2010 Best of Show- Third Annual ArtWorks Members Exhibit for "Barren County Twist", Gallery 916 Bowling Green, KY
 
2010 Best of Show- Kentucky Crafted: The Market, Louisville, KY
2009 
TACA Fall Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville TN

Woodland Art Fair, Lexington, KY

The Gallery at 916, 2nd Annual Juried Group Exhibit, Bowling Green, KY

KY Crafted:  The Market, Gallery Section, Louisville, KY

Houchens Gallery, All Kentucky Juried Exhibit, Bowling Green, KY

Houchens Gallery, Mark Whitley and Suzanne Renfro, Bowling Green, KY

Kaviar Forge and Gallery, Mark Whitley “Fresh Work”, Louisville, KY

American Craft Council Exhibition, Atlanta, GA

2008    
Craftforms Annual Juried Exhibit, Wayne Art Center, Wayne PA

The Gallery At 916 - ArtWorks Juried Group Exhibit, Bowling Green, KY

KY Crafted: The Market, Gallery Section, Louisville, KY

2007
KY Museum of Art + Craft Bourbon Ball Exhibit, Louisville, KY
Woodland Art Fair, Lexington, KY

Midwest Airlines Center - Fine Furnishings Show-Milwaukee, WI

KY Museum of Art + Craft  Holidazzle Invitational Group Exhibit
2006   
KY Museum of Art + Craft  Holidazzle Invitational Group Exhibit

Spring KGAC Art Fair- Berea, KY

Awards   
2011
2011 Al Smith Fellowship from the Kentucky Arts Council

Best Of Show, KY Crafted: The Market, Louisville, KY

2009
Award of Excellence, Woodland Art Fair, Lexington, KY

Merit Award, ArtWorks Inc. 2nd Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, Bowling Green KY - Big Giant Head #4
2008   
Finalist -Niche Magazine Design Awards 2009 The Mambo Rocker & the Highline Chair

First Place, Lost River Fine Art Fair, Bowling Green, KY

Merit Award for Wood, Woodland Art Fair, Lexington, KY

First Place, Saturday In The Park With Art Juried Show, Bowling Green KY - Spectrum Cabinet

Second Place, ArtWorks Juried Group Exhibit, Bowling Green, KY
2007   
Finalist -Niche Magazine Design Awards, Baltimore, MD - Giraffe Cabinet
Award of Excellence - Woodland Art Fair, Lexington, KY

Bibliography
SOKY Happenings, page 6-7, Featured Artist, May 2009

Disciples World Online Articles, 2009
http://www.disciplesworld.com/newsArticle.html?wsnID=15601
http://www.disciplesworld.com/newsArticle.html?wsnID=15656%22

Courier Journal Critic's Pick: The Spectrum Cabinet July 2008

Fine Woodworking Magazine - The Spectrum Cabinet online featured article June 2008

The Amplifier, page 9 “Featured Artist – Mark Whitley” March 2008

Arts Across Kentucky, pages 13-16 “Mark Whitley – WoodCraftsman” Summer 2007

Park City Daily News, Bowling Green, KY “Furniture Maker Makes His Mark” August 27, 2007 front page

Park City Daily News, Bowling Green, KY  “Ingrained In His Work”  May 10, 2005

Gallery Affiliations
2008    The Gallery At 916, Bowling Green, KY

2007    Kentucky Museum of Art + Craft, Louisville, KY
           Ann Tower Gallery, Lexington, KY

Corporate Collections
London, England; San Francisco, CA
Maker's Mark Permanent Collection

Louisville, KY
Harrah’s Casino

Bowling Green, KY
First Christian Church
Jerry Baker Foundation commission for the Joe Downing Museum