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Wood Turning Center 501 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 USA Tel:215-923-8000 Web: www.woodturningcenter.org Contact Person: David Foss, Exhibitions Coordinator For Immediate Release: "Beginning Steps" A Tribute to Palmer Sharpless Delayed due to snow - new date: December 12, 2003 5:00 to 8:00 pm Philadelphia: The Wood Turning Center will be holding a very special event on December 5, 2003 to mark the anniversary of the passing of Palmer Sharpless. Mr. Sharpless, who passed away on December 4, 2002 after a brief battle with cancer, was one of the most influential craftsmen and teacher in the nation. The event will include the unveiling of "Beginning Steps", a sculpture collaboratively created by Sharpless¹s former students, friends, and admirers, as a tribute to this remarkable man. Through his classes, workshops, and demonstrations, Sharpless taught several generations of artists and craft persons in the art of woodworking and wood turning. Hundreds of his students went on to become teachers themselves and helped to revitalize the wood turning field. His generosity of spirit and quiet yet forceful character was a fundamental guiding force in the woodworking field both nationally and internationally. Sharpless helped to organize the first wood turning symposium in Philadelphia and was also instrumental in the formation of the Pennsylvanian Guild of Craftsmen, the Wood Turning Center, and the American Association of Woodturners. His expertise as a wood turner was used in the restoration of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Palmer Sharpless and his wife, Joan raised five children. This evening will recall a remarkable man, educator, artist, mentor and friend who deeply touched the lives of so many. The memorial event is open to the public. "Beginning Steps" "Beginning Steps" is a collaborative sculpture and memorial to the memory of Palmer Sharpless. Organized by Mark Krick of Doylestown, the seven foot tall sculpture displays the numerous stylistic features, which Sharpless made prominent in his long woodworking career. A Call for Artists to turn a "Palmer" related item such as Honeydipper, or ring circus at or near true size, slice the piece in half or glue up with paper between and turn. Split into two halves and share a thought about Palmer, share something he said to you, or a meaningful anecdote on the flat side. Mark asks that you write the 2 halves identically. Send one to the Wood Turning Center and keep the other in your shop or home as your reminder of the man. Your piece will be collected and displayed with "Beginning Steps". All the written thoughts will be cataloged for possible future publication. This call is going out nationwide and will be an ongoing project until all contributions are collected. Please send your turned contributions to the project to the Wood Turning Center, 501 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144 USA. It would also be helpful if you could jot or type out your pieces text in a quick note with your piece or e-mail it to and Photos from the memorial Mark Krick of Doylestown standing next to the memorial sculpture in honor of Palmer Sharpless. Visitors to the Palmer Sharpless memorial exhibition admire artwork made to honor Palmer Sharpless.