David Martynuik

STEAM has been a hot topic in education for most of my working life as a music educator. The addition of the arts to science, technology, engineering and math is given much lip service. Sadly, the opportunities for truly infusing music and art into other academic disciplines is extremely rare. My favorite compositional projects are those that seek to bridge the gap and provide an example of creative expression for students.

While I’m drawn to the discrete tasks in planning, designing, measuring, cutting and crafting a piece of furniture or cabinetry, turning wood is a more fluid process for me, with the type and nature of the wood or the burl dictating many aspects of the piece. Similar to cutting a diamond, the size and shape of the material at the outset create parameters that guide the journey toward the finished product. I am drawn to classical forms, but enjoy seeing the contrast and complement of domestic woods paired with exotic ones. I find working at the lathe or crafting furniture to be an engaging creative activity outside my trained profession as a musician.

There is nothing more important to our existence on this planet than good stewardship of the environment. Using native plants; reusing and repurposing materials; being sensitive to the needs of pollinators; and creating spaces that invite, focus, calm, and delight are cornerstones of my approach to garden design.