A scientist by occupation, and an environmentalist by avocation, Mark Zimmerman has always loved working with wood.  With carpentry in his genes – both his father and grandfather were home builders – he began by crafting picture frames, small end tables, and one massive conference room table, as well as such treasured gifts as a humidor commissioned as a wedding present, a cradle for a friend’s new baby, and a blanket chest for his grandson. 

Just three years ago, he began to pursue his lifelong interest:  wood turning on a lathe.  Trained by master turner Robert Van Meter and through coursework at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine, Zimmerman now designs and turns platters and natural-edged and traditional bowls made from cherry, walnut, spalted maple, and other hardwoods.  He also enjoys turning unusual woods, like the vases he makes from Australian banksia pods.  

He has also turned entire salad bowl sets, pens, darts, and handles for ice cream scoops and serving utensils.

Mark is fascinated by the endless possibilities that this art offers, including wood burning and painting/carving one-of-a-kind pieces, like the platters he made in Maine.  As with the art of raku, there are elements of beauty in turned wood that you can’t predict ahead of time.  For example, a walnut bowl he made as a gift for a fellow environmentalist had a magical-looking grain on the inside of the bowl that looked like branches of a tree reaching toward the viewer.

Currently vice president for the Winchester-based Apple Valley Woodturners club, Zimmerman previously served as a newsletter editor.