Ron Wilson was an artistic woodturner, wood sculptor, and master wood carver. He turned wood on a lathe to form vessels, ornaments, and artistic objects, which he then enhanced with carving, painting, and gold leaf.

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Ron honed his skills by studying wood working with the Master Cabinet Maker at Williamsburg, Virginia, and woodturning at the John C. Campbell Art School in North Carolina. He also had an appreciation for the skills and tools of wood workers from the past, collecting and using 18th century period tools to produce exquisite furniture. This understanding of the past contributed to Ron’s willingness and ability to carve the Wind God figures on the stern of Delaware’s reproduction of the 17th century tall ship, the Kalmar Nyckel, which brought the first Swedish settlers to Delaware.

 

Ron exhibited his work in various shows and was recognized with both a third and a first place in the New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show.

 

Ron was a member of the Salem County Art League, First State Woodturners, American Association of Woodturners, and Salem County Arts in Bloom Committee. He participated annually in Arts in Bloom, most recently as a guest artist at Royal Port Antiques. Ron especially enjoyed introducing children to woodworking tools as part of the “Children’s’ Dig into Art" component of the Arts in Bloom event.

 

The 2021 Arts in Bloom event was dedicated to Ron Wilson who passed away in June 2020. There was a special memorial display of his work at Royal Port Antiques. We will miss Ron’s artistry and contributions to the Arts in Bloom event.

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