NATIONAL MAGAZINE HONORS
MIKE OCHONICKY
June 2008 - Michelle "Mike" Ochonicky, of Eureka,
Missouri, ranks as one of the top traditional artisans in
America, according to a panel of experts convened by
Early American Life magazine. The experts -- curators
from such prestigious institutions as the Museums of
Colonial Williamsburg, American Folk Art Museum,
Shelburne Museum, Mount Vernon, Historic Hudson
Valley, Heritage Center of Lancaster County, Museum
of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Old Sturbridge
Village, Shaker Museum and Library, and Strawbery
Banke Museum as well as antiques dealers, independent
scholars, and professional instructors --- selected the
top craftspeople working with traditional tools and
techniques for the magazine's 23rd annual Directory of
Traditional American Crafts. Ochonicky's handcrafted
scrimshaw showed mastery of the art form, heritage
techniques, and workmanship, according to the judges.
This is the twelfth time that Ochonicky's scrimshaw has
been selected for this high honor. The Directory of
Traditional American Crafts is a special listing that
appears in the August 2008 issue of Early American Life
magazine. The Directory has been used for the past two
decades by curators at living history museums, owners
of traditional homes, and motion picture producers for
finding artisans to make period-appropriate furnishing
and accessories for displays, collections and use.
"The judges look for authentic design and workmanship,
whether the piece is a faithful reproduction or the
artist's own interpretation of period style," said Tess
Rosch, publisher of Early American Life. "Scholarship,
as well as use of period tools and techniques is
particularly valued in this competition."
One goal of the Directory is to help preserve
traditional American crafts, part of our culture that is
rapidly being lost in the digital age. Many of these
skills were passed down from master to apprentice for
hundreds of years, but now few new people choose to
learn and master them, "If our traditional arts are
lost, we have forgotten a part of who we are as
Americans," Rosch said.
"The Directory is a source for collectors and historic
museums eager to own fine, handcrafted,
period-accurate objects and a means of supporting
those who perpetuate the art forms that are such an
important part of our nation's heritage," Rosch said. To
learn more, visit www.earlyamericanlife.com.
MIKE OCHONICKY
June 2008 - Michelle "Mike" Ochonicky, of Eureka,
Missouri, ranks as one of the top traditional artisans in
America, according to a panel of experts convened by
Early American Life magazine. The experts -- curators
from such prestigious institutions as the Museums of
Colonial Williamsburg, American Folk Art Museum,
Shelburne Museum, Mount Vernon, Historic Hudson
Valley, Heritage Center of Lancaster County, Museum
of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Old Sturbridge
Village, Shaker Museum and Library, and Strawbery
Banke Museum as well as antiques dealers, independent
scholars, and professional instructors --- selected the
top craftspeople working with traditional tools and
techniques for the magazine's 23rd annual Directory of
Traditional American Crafts. Ochonicky's handcrafted
scrimshaw showed mastery of the art form, heritage
techniques, and workmanship, according to the judges.
This is the twelfth time that Ochonicky's scrimshaw has
been selected for this high honor. The Directory of
Traditional American Crafts is a special listing that
appears in the August 2008 issue of Early American Life
magazine. The Directory has been used for the past two
decades by curators at living history museums, owners
of traditional homes, and motion picture producers for
finding artisans to make period-appropriate furnishing
and accessories for displays, collections and use.
"The judges look for authentic design and workmanship,
whether the piece is a faithful reproduction or the
artist's own interpretation of period style," said Tess
Rosch, publisher of Early American Life. "Scholarship,
as well as use of period tools and techniques is
particularly valued in this competition."
One goal of the Directory is to help preserve
traditional American crafts, part of our culture that is
rapidly being lost in the digital age. Many of these
skills were passed down from master to apprentice for
hundreds of years, but now few new people choose to
learn and master them, "If our traditional arts are
lost, we have forgotten a part of who we are as
Americans," Rosch said.
"The Directory is a source for collectors and historic
museums eager to own fine, handcrafted,
period-accurate objects and a means of supporting
those who perpetuate the art forms that are such an
important part of our nation's heritage," Rosch said. To
learn more, visit www.earlyamericanlife.com.
Exciting
News....
info@stonehollowstudio.com
News....
info@stonehollowstudio.com
The Dedalo Center for Contemporary Art in Abruzzo,
Italy has recently selected two of Michelle "Mike"
Ochonicky's etchings to become part of the museum's
permanent collection. Works from around the world
were reviewed and chosen to participate in an
international exhibition and competition in the Abruzzo
region, the municipality of Castiglione and the province
of Pescara. Initially, Ochonicky's works were on
display at the Dedalo from July 18-August 1, 2008,
followed by exhibition in the Museum in the Castle of
Castiglione, August 1-7, 2008. A third venue for the
exhibition has just been announced to open on October
4, extending the exhibition for three more weeks in the
region. Following these exhibitions, Ochonicky's works
will remain part of the collection of the Dedalo.
Italy has recently selected two of Michelle "Mike"
Ochonicky's etchings to become part of the museum's
permanent collection. Works from around the world
were reviewed and chosen to participate in an
international exhibition and competition in the Abruzzo
region, the municipality of Castiglione and the province
of Pescara. Initially, Ochonicky's works were on
display at the Dedalo from July 18-August 1, 2008,
followed by exhibition in the Museum in the Castle of
Castiglione, August 1-7, 2008. A third venue for the
exhibition has just been announced to open on October
4, extending the exhibition for three more weeks in the
region. Following these exhibitions, Ochonicky's works
will remain part of the collection of the Dedalo.
Three Generations of Art
It’s not every day when three generations of artists from one family are able to show their
work together. This is especially true when the artists, all from Missouri, are scattered in
different places, and the show is in Los Angeles, California.
Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky is no newcomer to the arts world. For twenty-eight years, she
has operated Stone Hollow Studio, best known for her unique hand-etched scrimshaw.
Living near Eureka, she serves as an advocate for the arts in St. Louis as Arts Editor of The
Healthy Planet magazine, and on a state and national level as Executive Director of
Missouri Artisans Association.
Earlier in her career, it was her photography that gathered attention. Her work received
awards in national competitions and could be seen gracing the walls at Bass Pro Shop in
Springfield, Missouri as well as in resort brochures. Recent travels abroad resparked an
old interest in photography, now preferring rich, sepia tones for her work.
When her son Adam showed an interest in photography, she encouraged him. In no time,
Adam’s photography collected awards and was seen in publications. In 2006, his work was
chosen for the prestigious Missouri 50 exhibition at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Now
a teacher and grad student in Wisconsin, his photography was most recently shown at the
McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington, Illinois. His black and white work is thought-
provoking.
While Christmas shopping last year, Ochonicky purchased a digital camera for her mother
Ruth Harrigan. At 81-years old, Ruth tackled the learning process and was soon producing
spectacular photographs that her friends and neighbors admired. Most interested in
nature subjects, Ruth’s photographs of sunrises are brilliantly colorful favorites. Ruth
resides in South County.
So, when the opportunity came to show their work together as part of a national
exhibition called, “Snap to Grid,” at the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art on West Fifth
Street in Los Angeles, California, these three artists were delighted. It’s a huge show,
with work by 500 artists from around the globe.
Said Rex Bruce, Director for the LACDA, “Our opening reception for this exhibit was
completely “mobbed” with all kinds of visitors. The Fifth Street galleries estimated about
one thousand people attended our cluster during the Downtown Art Walk and the
evening’s receptions, which included LACDA, Bert Green Fine Art and Pharmika….Some of
these visitors travel from all parts of the globe to ‘gallery hop’ in Los Angeles. This show
is very popular and has perked the interest of many in the art world. People often spend a
great deal of time viewing the show and there is lots of oohing and aahing.”
Ochonicky's Etchings Added to Italian Museum Collection
Above:
"Sunburst over
Bethlehem"
Right:
"Bugs in the Rain"
"Sunburst over
Bethlehem"
Right:
"Bugs in the Rain"
Top left: by Adam Ochonicky Right: by Mike Ochonicky
Lower left: by Ruth Harrigan
Lower left: by Ruth Harrigan
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