Spoons As Functional Art

Norman D. Stevens, Director Emeritus of the University of Connecticut Libraries, has been collecting contemporary crafts for decades.

For the last four years, he has concentrated his efforts on amassing a collection of over two hundred 9" handcarved spoons from all over the world.



The variety is incredible. Who would have thought that something as utilitarian as a spoon could be interpreted so many different ways.




Recently, some of his spoons were on display in The American Association of Woodturners Gallery of Wood Art, and the Gallery Director, Tib Shaw, photographed 74 of them.


The 74 images have now been printed in a catalog "A Gathering of Spoons 2010," which is available from the AAW website. The cost is $10 for AAW members and $20 for non-members.

The styles include traditional, folk art, contemporary, and sculptural, and a variety of wood species are represented.

The craftsmanship is impressive, and the shapes are imaginative and inspirational.

All photos were taken by Tib Shaw and are copyrighted by AAW.