The Artist, Michael L. Thompson

Growing up in the mountains of Virginia, I developed a great appreciation for nature. This appreciation led me to pursue a B.S. in Forestry and Wildlife from Virginia Tech and a 31-year career in forestry with the State of North Carolina. My job was dedicated to improving the forests in NC and assisting landowners with sound forest management.

Upon retiring in 2003, I took a woodturning class at Alamance Community College. In this class, a new passion was born,  woodturning.

I enjoy exploring the natural beauty of wood and creating a form that brings out its natural color and unique grain. I find it intriguing to turn wood that I have never turned before, with its different texture, color, and grain pattern. I aim to turn every wood species that grows in North Carolina. I probably will never accomplish that, but I will enjoy the journey. So far, there are 145+ species, native and exotic, and counting.

I mainly use wood salvaged from urban settings, house sites, and logging sites, giving it new life in woodturning. My turnings include bowls, vases, ink pens, bottle stoppers, lidded boxes, candlesticks, potpourri containers, flower arrangers, ring holders, and more.

Memberships:

American Association of Woodturners
Chatham Artist Guild

Current Shows/Exhibitions

Show of Hands Gallery, 80 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Upcoming Shows and Exhibitions

Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour 2025 Saturday, December 6, 13, and Sunday, 7, 14

Past Shows and Exhibitions

  • Chatham County Artist Studio Tour – December  2009-2018, 2020-24.
  • Arts on the Green at Southern Village, Chapel Hill, NC – May 1, 2010
  • “Men-In –Trees Exhibition”; Artifex Studio and Gallery; Troy, NC – 2010.

  • Liquidambar Gallery, featured 3-D Artist – September 2011

  • Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery Show “Traditional Crafts: Past and Present Perspectives” – 2012

  • Elements Gallery, featured artist – February 2012
  • The Galloway Ridge Artists Collaboration – 2015, 2016, 2017.
  • Fat Cat Artfest – 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Beyond the Bark” – Page-Walker Arts Center, Cary, NC Sept 27-Nov 9, 2017.
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