Art Walk Featured Artist
July 9, 2021
As a collective group of artists at the Artists’ Galley, we would like to honor our late friend Jess Tode as our "Featured Artist" for July 9th, 2021.
An electrical engineer by trade and an incredible wood turner and woodworker by hobby, Jess began woodworking in the late 80s. He was a member of the Woodworkers Guild and enjoyed learning and teaching from others of all different ages. We can still catch a glimpse of his latest techniques, such as adding color to his wood creations. He will be greatly missed in our community and art gallery as he was a critical member of our Bozeman co-op for 8 years. He spent countless hours in our gallery devoting his skills as an electrical engineer to improve lighting and structural appearances as well as his guidance as past chairperson, troubleshooter and friend. Not a dog in the Emerson building or guest dogs were ever denied a milk bone treat because of his love for 4-legged customers! A quote from Jess, “I’ve discovered the people in this area tend to get quite attached to their trees. When one needs to be taken down, what better way to remember it then with a bowl, vessel or turned utensil? It is very exciting to find what is hidden in a log. I admit, my results sometimes end up on the firewood pile, but some of my most beautiful pieces started out as a log on someone else’s firewood pile.” Many have his hand carved treasures around our homes and now these beautiful creations seem much more near and dear in remembrance of our Jess. Some see the beauty of the bowl and the exquisite heart of a tree, the lucky ones also see the hidden memories of a dear friend. He will be missed dearly. Our artist community here at the Emerson mourns this loss and treasures his memory. Jess Tode passed on June 27th, 2021. There will be a memorial for Jess in the near future.
An electrical engineer by trade and an incredible wood turner and woodworker by hobby, Jess began woodworking in the late 80s. He was a member of the Woodworkers Guild and enjoyed learning and teaching from others of all different ages. We can still catch a glimpse of his latest techniques, such as adding color to his wood creations. He will be greatly missed in our community and art gallery as he was a critical member of our Bozeman co-op for 8 years. He spent countless hours in our gallery devoting his skills as an electrical engineer to improve lighting and structural appearances as well as his guidance as past chairperson, troubleshooter and friend. Not a dog in the Emerson building or guest dogs were ever denied a milk bone treat because of his love for 4-legged customers! A quote from Jess, “I’ve discovered the people in this area tend to get quite attached to their trees. When one needs to be taken down, what better way to remember it then with a bowl, vessel or turned utensil? It is very exciting to find what is hidden in a log. I admit, my results sometimes end up on the firewood pile, but some of my most beautiful pieces started out as a log on someone else’s firewood pile.” Many have his hand carved treasures around our homes and now these beautiful creations seem much more near and dear in remembrance of our Jess. Some see the beauty of the bowl and the exquisite heart of a tree, the lucky ones also see the hidden memories of a dear friend. He will be missed dearly. Our artist community here at the Emerson mourns this loss and treasures his memory. Jess Tode passed on June 27th, 2021. There will be a memorial for Jess in the near future.