Located in his childhood hometown of Audubon NJ self-taught artist Mark Bair pursues his craft of traditional woodcarving. Growing up around his mother’s art studio it wasn’t a stretch for him to have a passion for art and fine craft. Mark has been hand carving heirloom quality, whimsical and figurative art for over twenty years now. Each work is hand carved using traditional carving tools. The work is then hand painted and finished with hand rubbed oil to give it an aged warm look. His subject matter is mostly figurative with an eye towards whimsey.
Mark is a Juried Master Artisan with the Pennsylvania Guild of fine craft. He also works with the New Jersey Folk Life Center to bring has craft into New Jersey school children. He is a regular teacher at the Tuckerton Seaport. Marks work is available for commission or can be seen in the permeant collection of the Tuckerton Seaport, The Pennsylvania Guild Of fine Craft gallery or at Fine Craft Fairs around the country.
Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts
2001 - Oil Painting
2002-2003 - Printmaking
Perkins Center for the Arts
2001-2008 - Watercolor and Sculpture
John C Campbell School
2004 - Scandinavian Figure Carving with Harley Rufsal
2012 - Figure Carving with Helen Gibson
Tuckerton Gunning & Decoy Show
2012 – 1st place Fish
Toms River Decoy Show
2013 – First Place Figure
Crozet Fine Art Show
2013 – Presidents Choice Award
Syracuse Fine Arts and Crafts Show
2014 – Best of Show in Wood Category
Corn Hill Arts Festival
2014 – First Place in Wood Category
Pennsylvania Guild of Fine Craft
2015 – Achieved Master Craftsman Status
Pennsylvania Guild of Fine Craft Rittenhouse
2016 – Benchmark Award