"Mike, the bowls are glorious - My gallery looks like a million with your work center stage. Thank you."

-- Liz Martin, Hand of Man Gallery

"There has never been a better time in our history to be an American craftsperson. I am passionate about my work and feel privileged to be a part of the craft movement in our culture. My medium is constantly evolving and there are vast differences of quality in woodturning. I am always striving to produce the highest quality work and hope that the passion I have for my craft translates into every piece."

-- Michael Mahoney

Biography

Born and raised in rural northern California, Mike Mahoney now resides in Utah. Mike attended San Diego State University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Arts with an emphasis in Woodturning .

The wood Mike uses for his turned bowls is mostly unwanted trees that have been removed due to death or disease. He feels there are ample local woods with character and versatility. Mike collects his wood from local city wood yards and dumps. He salvages wood that otherwise would be burned as firewood or taken to the landfill. Tree trimmers are also one of his many sources of wood.

Mike teaches his craft at national and international symposia, as well as in small workshops. He travels across the United States to demonstrate for local chapters of the American Woodturning Association. Mike has demonstrated at the world renowned BYU Woodturning Symposium since 1996. He also teaches three times a year at Craft Supplies USA woodturning school. In 1998 Mike instructed his craft in Ireland for their local chapters and then traveled to England to demonstrate at the Allen Batty Symposium in Ripon. In 1999 he demonstrated at Australia's Down-under Turnaround Symposium and also taught at many of the local woodturning chapters while there. During the year 2000, Mike is scheduled to teach at the John Campbell Folk School in North Carolina in January and the BYU Symposium in June. In May 2000, he will travel to England to demonstrate again at the Allen Batty Symposium.

Mike's bowls have been sold throughout the world. Currently he is showing his work in many galleries across the country including: American Crafts Museum in New York City, Del Mano Gallery in Los Angeles, Company Of Craftsmen in Mystic, Connecticut, Selo/Shevel Gallery in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sansar Gallery in Bethesda, Maryland, and Appalachian Springs in Falls Church, Virginia.

In 1996 Hollywood discovered Mike's bowls. Actors Joanna Kerns and Dan Lauria starred in a film about a woodturner. Mike acted as the technical adviser for this film and his bowls were used as the main feature.

During the summer months you will find Mike traveling to Fine Art and Craft shows throughout the country. In 1997, 1998, and 1999 Mike was accepted to show at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival; rated the #1 Fine Arts/Craft show in the United States and certainly the most sought after show for craftsmen in the USA. Other shows he will attend this year include Philadelphia's Buyers for American Craft, the Sausalito Art Show in California, and the Park City and Utah Art Festivals in Utah.

Where does the wood come from?

Mike gets the majority of his wood from local municipalities that have removed large trees due to old age and disease. Mike is recycling trees that otherwise would go to the landfill or be burned as firewood.