Gallery 2011 November Presents Dennis Harrison

Editor's note: The following is a press release issued by the city of Enumclaw.

Renton, Wash., artist Dennis Harrison, creates marquetry art, flat wood panels with inset designs. Marquetry is the art and craft of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns, designs, or pictures. This is the first exhibit of this kind for Enumclaw’s Gallery.

Dennis Harrison comments on his work, the process, and his involvement in the arts.

“Marquetry is an art form that uses only natural and dyed wooden veneers in its presentation. It is a little-known art form in America, but it is hundreds of years old as practiced elsewhere. In the United Kingdom and on the European continent it is considered a 'fine' art and is practiced extensively.

Every marquetry picture is truly one-of-a-kind beginning with the infinite stresses placed in a growing tree to the final slicing of the veneers. Each piece of veneer will never be duplicated again.

Currently, the National Marquetry Society has only 250 members remaining from a high of nearly 2,000 members in the 1980s. Myself and another person started in the Puget Sound Chapter of the National Marquetry Society to promote the art. We give exhibitions and hands-on classes to raise public awareness of the art.

I’m also currently studying in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana of Japan and hold a first level certificate. I challenge myself to capture some of the spirit of the Japanese people with their unique flower arranging.

I am a member of the American Marquetry Society, the United Kingdom Marquetry Society, the Canadian Marquetry Society, and the Mercer Island Group of the Sogetsu Ikebana School of Japan.”

Harrison's gallery runs from November 2, 2011 through December 6, 2011.

Gallery artist schedules for 2011 continue as follows: November, Dennis Harrison; and December, Mike Dilbeck. 

City Hall will also feature pottery by Kern and Elizabeth Hendricks.  Their artwork will be on display in the entryway display case from November 2, 2011 through January 3, 2012. 

Gallery 2011 is located in the Council Chambers at Enumclaw City Hall. 1339 Griffin Ave. Enumclaw, WA 98022.  Hours for the exhibition space are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Enumclaw City Hall is closed on national holidays. The gallery is closed to the public on Tuesday of each week for municipal court proceedings. For More Information, please call Enumclaw Cultural Programs office at (360) 802-0239.