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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 2, 2000)
Page 8 - 2 0 0 0 V ern onia Friendship Jam bo ree T h e c re a tio n o f fin e fu rn itu re is also an a rt During the past several years, artists of many talents have been profiled in this annu al Vernonia Jamboree tabloid. One of the quieter artists in the community, Dan Brown, is also one of those who earns his liv ing at the work he loves. In 1977, while a student at Vernonia High School, Dan Brown didn’t know what he would be exposed to when he started working part-time there. He was exposed to...wood! More specifically, he started helping industrial arts teacher Terry Nimz, who was building cabinets for the Washington Grade School library and of fice. And he found a profession that allowed him to expand his artistic talents while earning a living. But we’re jumping too far ahead. When Dan started attending Vernonia High School, in 1976, he and his Christian missionary parents had just moved back to the United States after spend ing seven years in Peru. After graduating from VHS, he at tended Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in religious education. Back in Vernonia, he started working for Cabinet Makers Inc., in Forest Grove, a nation al company that is now in Salem. Then he was employed by Oak Unlimited, when the well-known furniture manufac turers were working out of a backyard in Manning. Thirteen years ago, he decided to strike out on his own and started Hardwood Originals. Since that time, Dan’s business has been in Manning, though in a build ing, not in a back yard. With control of his own busi ness, Dan could incorporate his creative talents in wood working with original designs, while continuing to make cabi nets for kitchens, libraries and offices. Using hardwoods from South America, Africa, Indone sia and other locales, he also makes intricately inlaid table tops, chests and other custom furniture. The designs are sometimes representative and sometimes purely abstract but, regardless of the design and regardless whether the furniture is meant to be decorative or utilitarian, they always feature the warmth and beauty of pure wood. There is no particle board in the work manufactured by Hardwood Originals, Dan ex plained, and oak is still the most frequently used wood. Dan and his wife, Heidi, who both do extensive volun teer work, have now embarked on a new venture. In August, their new building on the corner of Bridge Street and Madison Avenue will be home to Hard wood Originals and, in early fall they will open Grey Dawn Gallery in the front part of the building. The gallery will display Dan’s work, in addition to rep resenting photographer Chris topher Burkett and ceramicist Jeff Patterson. The Browns will also provide custom framing. In co rp o rated in th e design o f this ta b le to p a re m ountains, buildings and shadows of inlaid w ood in a landscape o f h o rizo n tal strata and a few d ia g o n a l accents th a t create a nearly th re e -d im e n s io n a l visual e f fect. Have a safe and happy visit during Vernonia Friendship jamboree From all of us at Vernonia Family Dental D an and H eidi Brown in the, as yet, unfinished G rey D aw n G a lle ry . They p lan to o p e n th e Scott van Dyken, D.M.D. Pat Stacklie, R.D.H. Lori Walters - Audrey Holce g a llery in th e early fall. Although the gallery isn’t open, you can get a preview on Saturday, August 5, and pur chase raffle tickets for two Bur kett posters — framed by Grey Dawn Gallery of course — as a benefit for Vernonia Cares. For details, see article on page five. D etail at rig h t shows vees of d ark w ood in laid in the cor ners of a chest th a t is o th erw ise sim ply designed. 622 Bridge Street, Vernonia (503) 429-2675 RIDGE ST. 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