“Avelino has the gift of bringing out beauty for all of us to see. A tree is no longer a tree after seeing his work! One wonders what exquisite effect lies beneath the surface of every tree you pass. His painstaking attention to detail elevates the art of woodturning to museum quality sculpture.”
- Claire
January 25, 2008 Art Show Press Release:
Avelino Samuel has created fine art from wood for more than 25 years, primarily using woods native to the Caribbean. Never tiring in his pursuit of higher levels of artistic expression, however, Avelino heightens the drama of some of his new vases by using delicate finials made of dried sea plants he has found on the beaches of his native St. John. This selection of Avelino’s sought-after work will also include bowls and other works made from a variety of local woods, including mahogany, white prickle, amarod and genip, as well as several pieces done with ambrosia maple.
A member of the American Association of Woodturners, Avelino will be a featured presenter at the group’s annual woodturning symposium in Richmond, Virginia in June of 2008. Holding a Master’s degree in Education, he is an Industrial Arts instructor in St. John.
AVELINO SAMUEL BIO
Adding to the unique value of each of his signed and numbered pieces is the fact that they are made from woods found in the Virgin Islands - mahogany, seagrape, lignum vitae, kasha, white prickle, amarod, genip and black olive, to name a few. Avelino blends elements of Virgin Islands/Caribbean decorative art and style with his love for classical and modern turnings.
From a young age, Avelino loved creating beauty with his hands and aspired to be an Industrial Arts teacher. He received his BS degree in Industrial Arts from North Carolina A&T State University and his Master's degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University. He returned to his native St. John, where he has taught Industrial Arts at the Julius E. Sprauve School for more than 20 years.
Over time, Avelino Samuel has refined his skills through his constant pursuit of knowledge about his art. He is a member of the American Association of Woodturners, and in 2000 he was awarded a grant to attend their Annual Symposium. Samuel also holds membership in the American Craft Council and the Artist Association of St. John.
Winner of first-place awards at Tillet Fair and St. John Fourth of July Fair, Avelino also participated in the Smithsonian Institution's Festival of American Folklife re-staging on St. Croix in 1991. He took part, as well, in the Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage Institute's 1996 Folklife Festival held at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas.
In the 1990's, Samuel added furniture making to his repertory, exploring traditional and modern forms in his production of four-poster beds. His furniture gained quick popularity, but he found that he preferred to focus his artistic talent on beautifully turned and polished vessels that make a refined statement in any home. These works reflect his passion and love for the art of woodturning.
For more information about the fine art of Avelino Samuel and the woods he uses, contact Gallery St. Thomas.
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