Artist’s Statement-

In my wood work, there are
a couple things that are really
important to me.  First is the
user’s experience of the piece. 
My pieces are typically small
intimate pieces so they are
experienced on a very personal
level, looked at closely, and
held in the hands.  The tactile
experience of holding a
bandsaw box is a blend of clean spare forms nestling in the hand with accents of edges
that focus attention but are always friendly, finishing with a feeling of heightened
contentment.  Visually, I try for simple forms that will read from a distance but with
smaller elements that become apparent on closer examination.  My shapes are
reflective of the erosion patterns on rock, the ripples on the sand in Lake Michigan,
snow drifts, skin over a hip, and the flowing line of a twisting ribbon. Connections are
also important to me.  The pieces are frequently purchased as gifts or to mark special
occasions.  They embody the social connections between a giver and a receiver or the
connection between the individual creator and the person enjoying the piece.  Or, the
historical connection between the piece and a special occasion – be that a fun day at
an art fair or the commemoration of a life event.

Don Doezema

Don Doezema produced bandsaw boxes and other items in the 1970s and 1980s. 
At that time he sold through galleries and participated in several juried art shows and
juried competitions.  He studied with Terry Allen Smith at the Penland School of Crafts
in 1976 and with Donald Lloyd McKinley at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in 1984.
  This was followed by about twenty years of corporate life and family responsibilities
until 2002.  Since that time he has focused on full time artwork in conjunction with his
wife, potter Mary Doezema.

Competitions:

West Michigan Regional Competition:  Annual, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Muskegan Museum of Art: 75^th Regional, 2003

Grand Rapids Festival Regional Arts Competition: 2004

Shows:

Art Makers, Grand Rapids, MI (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)

Kalamazoo Institute of Art, Art in the Park, Kalamazoo, MI (2004, 2005*, 2006*,
2007*)

Fallasburg Fall Festival, Lowell, MI (2004,2005, 2006, 2007)

Michigan Guild of Artists and Artisans, Holiday Art Fair, Farmington Hills, MI
                (Best in Show – Wood 2004) (2004, 2005, 2006)

Vessels, Holland Area Arts Council, curated exhibit, Holland, MI, 2005

Birmingham Fine Art Festival, Birmingham, MI, (2006, 2007*)

East Lansing Art Festival, East Lansing, MI, (2006, 2007*)

4th of July Art Show, Harbor Springs, MI (2006)

Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Festival, Grand Rapids, MI (2005, 2006)

Crystal Lake Summer Art Fair, Beulah, MI (2005)

Bay Harbor Summer Art Fair, Petoskey, MI (2005)

Penrod, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN (2005, 2006, 2007)

Boxes and More, Krasle Art Centre, St Joseph, MI, curated exhibit, 2005

Artist in Residence, Forrest Hills Fine Arts Center, Grand Rapids, MI, 2006

Les Cheneaux Festival Of the Arts, Hessel, MI, 2007

Frankfort Art and Craft Fair, Frankfort, MI, (2006, 2007)

Portside Art Fair, East Jordan, MI, purchase prize for 3
     dimensional work, 2007 (2006, 2007*)

(* reinvited artist)

Galleries:

Synchronicity Gallery, Glenn Arbor, MI

Khnemu Studio, Fennville, MI