For 2008 Show photos and People’s Choice winners, click on Driftwood Show above.

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Lucile Worlund, founder of Northwest Driftwood Artists in 1963

LuRon^® Method
LuRon is the registered trademark of a method for developing finished wood sculptures from found wood. The method identified by the LuRon mark offers instruction in the choice of natural wood forms, cleaning, design development, finishing and displaying completed sculptures. The goal of the LuRon method is to reveal the inner beauty of the wood itself.

 LuRon artists use their “seeing eye” to recognize the artistic potential in a piece of weathered wood gathered from rivers, mountains, forests, or beaches. Once a piece has been selected, it must be thoroughly scraped to get down to the hard wood where its beautiful grain pattern is revealed. The piece is then shaped to bring out its best artistic features or imagery. When shaping the wood into sculptural form, using basic principles of design, it is the LuRon tradition to make any changes appear to have occurred naturally. Next, the piece is meticulously sanded with several succeeding grit levels. Burnishing with a smooth deer antler to close the cells and bring up the natural color and grain is basic to LuRon.

This technique Mrs. Worlund learned when she lived among Makah Indians in Neah Bay, Washington. A mixture of beeswax and turpentine is applied before or after burnishing. Some choose to add a natural oil in the finishing. The soft, hand-rubbed finish gives a lustrous depth to the wood. Presentation is an important factor: a good base will present the piece in its most favorable attitude, be in good proportion, and complement, yet not overwhelm, the sculpture. A finished LuRon sculpture will be a true original, never to be duplicated. It will be a stunning portrayal of Nature’s unique art.

                Learning Driftwood Sculpture

The techniques for creating driftwood sculpture are best learned in a class which as well as instruction, offers inspiration, creative new ideas, and a supportive community for information exchange. Each piece of wood is different and may require a different approach. Driftwood artists are always discovering and sharing new tools and ideas. This art form is forever evolving.

Driftwood sculpture classes are led by teachers certified by the LuRon Driftwood Sculpture Teachers organization in the following locations:

                                          Current Driftwood Sculpture Classes 

            Location and Time                                                 Instructor

Bothell - Northshore Senior Center                    Alice Shuler 425-485-1221
Wed. 6:30-8:30 pm                                   
Th. 8:30-10:30 am                                             
                                                                 
                                                                                          
Kenmore Senior Center                                     Arline De Palma 425-483-7993
Tues. 10-12:00 N

Lynnwood Senior Center                                   Becky Lykens 425-742-3727
Tuesday 12:30-2:30 pm

Marysville Senior/Community Center                Arline De Palma 425-483-7993
Thurs. 12:30-2:30 pm

North Seattle (private home)                            Jeannette Cline 206-263-6243
Tues. 9:30-12:30 pm

Redmond Senior Center                                    
Mon. 10-12:30                                                    Carol McElvaine 425-482-6775
         1:00-2:30 pm                                            Jo Marsh 425-883-7141
 
Sequim (private home)                                      Tuttie Peetz 360-683-6860
                                                                           Yolanda Proulx 360-681-8825

Stanwood Senior Center                                    Lois Karr 425-823-4999
2nd Sat. 9:00-12:00 N                                 
 
Woodinville - Woodinville Senior Center             Jo Marsh 425-883-7141
Thurs. 9:00-11:30 am