Joel Passovoy

Artist Statement

Artist Statement and Description of Work

Joel Passovoy Woodworking was founded in 2018, but I got my start in carpentry and woodworking in 2004 with two by fours and a nail gun. After five years of framing custom homes in Nevada City, I moved on to more advanced projects and more sustainable practices. In 2018, I turned my first bowl out of an old piece of walnut that I had been tripping over for years. In the years since, I have honed the craft of making high quality bowls and platters. More importantly, I learned that these simple forms become part of family traditions and events where memories are made. This is the real joy I find in wood working.



Booth and Display

My booth is a simple 10x10 space. I have created a 10’x7’ backdrop consisting of a framed wall with cedar studs backed by black curtain, which creates a striking contrast and accentuates he natural warmth and beauty of the wood. In front of this, the rest of the booth and display area is made up of three tables in a U shaped configuration. These tables are live edge Monterey Cypress slabs that sit on Doug Fir bases where my work is set out for display. The tops of the tables have been stained black, again for contrast against the beautiful woods that are laid out upon them. I find it best to only display 20 to 30 bowls at a time on the tables as this keeps the space from feeling cluttered. The overall feel of the space is that of a fine art gallery with clean lines and plenty of space for people to enter, move around and experience my work close up.