OUR STORY
S. ARTHUR SHOEMAKER Born January 5th 1934, graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He was sent to the Philadelphia Navy Base to become a Naval Instructor where he served eight years. Art completed the courses from Famous Artist School. Mr. Shoemaker taught Industrial Arts for 32 years.
Mr. Shoemaker is a self-taught woodcarver with over 40 years of experience. He is a juried member of the PA Guild of Craftsmen. In 1999, he was selected to create an ornament for the White House Blue Room Christmas tree. He was selected for Early American Life's 200 Best Traditional Craftsman every year from 1994 to present. His carvings have been pictured in the Christmas issue of Early American Life in 1994, 1995, and 1998 and 2005 and on the cover of the 2002 issue. Since 1998, he has been a featured wood carver and regular contributor to Wood Carving Illustrated Magazine with pictures and patterns of his work. He has several multi-page spreads of "How to Carve a Cat Bear, Owl" and others with photos and explanations. He appears in Reader's Digest's video "America the Beautiful" released in 1996.
Mr. Shoemaker has received many awards including Penn Museum and Lebanon Valley Juried Shows and PA Guild of Craftsmen Gallery Exhibits. He has been awarded "Best of Show" in the annual PA Guild of Craftsmen state juried show on several occasions.
His work can be found in collections around the world. He has a sculpture in the Lancaster Heritage Museum, the Conestoga Heritage Museum and the Lancaster City Mayor's Office. He has carved over 25 carvings for the Lancaster Moravian Church "Putz," a nativity story depicted with twelve separate scenes.
Mr. Shoemaker continues to teach workshops and seminars and volunteers in schools to educate others about carving and crafts. He past president of the PA Guild of Craftsmen and the Lancaster Designer Craftsmen and served four years as Chairman of the PA Guild of Fine Craft Fairs. He has always been active in furthering the education of crafts and encouraging young people.
Art's woodcarvings reflect a distinct humor and realism with intricate detail and a unique finish combining oil stain over acrylic and an application of paste wax. The woods he most often uses are basswood and sugar pine. Designs are original with a special emphasis on caricatures, animals and whimsical and historical renditions of St. Nicholas.
