By Pat Stinson
KALEVA – Jeff Sanborn, a self-taught woodworker, will bring some of his larger pieces to a Sept. 18 featured artist meet-and-greet, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Kaleva Art Gallery, 14449 Wuoski Ave.
Sanborn, of the Bear Lake area and Florida, delved into woodworking in his retirement. While wintering in Florida, he learned to make and turn bowls.
“I added on to woodworking by graduating to larger items like dining tables, benches and coffee tables,” he said.
His original woodwork includes the transformation of a “gorgeous” ash tree stump into a bench.
Sanborn enjoys repurposing wooden objects, turning a cabinet door into a tabletop, for instance. In addition to his gallery pieces, he also accepts commissions for furniture, benches, bowls and other household items.
Born in Traverse City, Sanborn lived in many places as the son of a naval officer. After high school graduation, he attended Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City before joining the Marine Corps and working on jet aircraft. He is a Vietnam veteran.
“My best job was as a science teacher for eighth-graders ⸺ great kids. Kind of crazy, like me,” he said.
Kaleva Art Gallery displays works by area artists and craftspeople and is open 10 am.-4 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, follow the gallery on Facebook @Kaleva-Art-Gallery
