Rob Wallace, Woodturner

04/12/2026

One of my pieces was selected to be exhibited at the Polk County Heritage Gallery (Des Moines) for the “2026 Iowa Exhibited” show.

The Iowa Exhibited artists are officially selected!

A huge thank you from PCHG to everyone who submitted their work, and special appreciation to our juror, Jennifer Drinkwater 🙌

This is going to be an incredible show—you won’t want to miss it! 👀

And now… introducing the selected artists… 👏

(organized Last Name, First Name)
Andersen, Jessica
Bagley, Braden
Bird, Leo
Blumhagen, Lisa
Briggs, Nancy
Burk, Dana
Davis, Martin
Drummond, Meredith
Fry-Schnormeier, Bailey
Gaquer, Bojenna
Heemstra, Jim
Henslee, Stina
Hiatt, Mike
Hoyt, Summer
Huffman, Angie
Johnson, David
Kirkholm, Tyler
Kling, Bob
Klisares, Jeff
Koning, Ryan
Kunzler, Diane
Luber, Patrick
Marentes, Seso
Matthews, Rob
Michels, Richard
Nagorny, Sergiy
Nelson, Stephanie
Nordman, Russ
Prior, Isaac
Roeder, Phillip
Schwartz, Kelly
Scroggins, Justin
Segner, Anna
Shelby, Kevin
Stirling, Audrey
Stoffregen, Margaret
Sunderman, Robert
Tant, Cassandra
Travnicek, Laura
Valentine, Toni
Wallace, Robert
Webster, Richard
Wilson, Michael
Wright, Scott
Zisko, Deborah

CONGRATULATIONS! ✨ Artists selected will be notified with further details on the show.

03/18/2026

These are the demonstration topics being presented at the Turn On! Chicago Midwest Regional Woodturning Symposium being held 30 July to 2 August 2026 in Northbrook, Illinois.

02/07/2026

The spoils of a recent score in the Clearance aisle of our local Walmart - I paid a total of $5 for $39 worth of 5/32” (4 mm) chain saw files. At 50 cents each for 10 files, I think I got a bargain!

01/15/2026

I am very happy to be a demonstrator at the Turn On! Chicago Midwest Woodturning Symposium being held 30 July to 2 August 2026!

I will also serve as auctioneer for the fundraising live auction that follows the Banquet. I have attended this symposium for over 10 years, and can tell you that it is extremely well run by a group of skilled, friendly, and helpful woodturners! There is always a “small group” atmosphere that enables symposium attendees to meet and learn from demonstrators. I look forward to seeing many fellow turners at ToC this coming summer!

12/23/2025

My most recent piece was presented one week ago (16 December 2025) to retiring President of Iowa State University Wendy Wintersteen on behalf of the ISU Faculty Senate.

“Bright Flame of Service” was turned and carved using a piece of Sycamore wood sourced from the ISU campus - it is, literally, a piece of Iowa State’!

The carved vase was colored with aniline dyes and finished with lacquer. It sits atop a plinth in the shape of the State of Iowa, alluding to her service to all in the state - students, university extension, farmers, businesses, and the citizens of Iowa in general.

11/27/2025

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE ! ! !

Be sure to use proper PPE whenever you are preparing your special meal!

11/02/2025

I received some good news while attending the opening reception on November 1st for the ‘Iowa Crafts: 47’ juried art exhibition at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum in Mason City, Iowa. I had three pieces accepted into this exhibition. During the awards presentation, I was informed that I had won the “Best in Metal/Wood” medium award for my piece “Sixth Planet Spectacle”! The exhibition runs from October 21 through December 31, 2025. Information about the exhibition is included in the last image.

10/26/2025

Earlier this week I received a new tool to assist with casting pewter metal - a PID-temperature controlled melting furnace. For the past few years I have been using propane torches to melt the pewter prior to casting. This furnace will make the casting process far easier and requiring minimal set up and less danger due to no longer having to use fire. The trial melt I did yesterday enabled me to do a “cold to cast” safe pour of pewter in just 17 minutes with minimal effort!

Next summer at the Turn On! Chicago Woodturning Symposium (30 July - 2 August)I will be doing a demonstration on using cast pewter embellishments in woodturned pieces. This furnace will make it possible to demonstrate the casting process without using any flame to melt the pewter.

10/25/2025

For those that do woodturning demonstrations where having a wood chisel in your traveling toolbox might help, this 25 mm/1” compact, folding chisel by Irwin/Marples might be a good choice. This was on sale at Menard’s for $7. The cutting edge is protected when folded, so no need for the “easily loseable” end cover!

09/27/2025

Hope to see friends from Ames and environs TOMORROW at the Octagon Arts Festival!

09/26/2025

Come and visit during the Octagon Art Festival on Sunday, September 28th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Main Street in Ames!