Joel Gonnerman
Fine Art Woodturner
Artist Biography
Joel Gonnerman’s relationship with wood began in his father’s cabinet shop, where he spent his childhood learning the unique characteristics, intricate grains, and natural beauty of various timber. When he was old enough, his father introduced him to the wood lathe—a defining moment that sparked a lifelong passion.
Today, Joel transforms raw wood into breathtaking, one-of-a-kind artwork. His unwavering dedication to his craft has earned him widespread credibility in the fine art community, with his distinctive pieces regularly selected for museum exhibitions and fine art galleries.
Artistic Philosophy & Process
While many woodturners rely on pre-existing patterns, Joel takes pride in creating and calculating all his own original designs. His innate eye for striking wood species, combined with an uncompromising attention to detail, ensures that every piece he turns results in a true, unrepeatable work of art–a distinct masterpiece.
Gallery Representation & Sales
Joel’s artwork is currently on display and available for purchase at:
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James Krom Natural Images Art Gallery
Mayo Clinic Building | Rochester, MN -
Scent From Heaven, a boutique located in his hometown of St. Ansgar, IA
Awards, Scholarships, and Recognitions
In 2019, his vessel entitled "African Diamonds'', won 1st place at the prestigious AWFS Wood Turning Competition in Las Vegas. This groundbreaking piece firmly established his reputation in the fine art community. Since then, Joel's artwork has won multiple awards and scholarships including one of his most recent awards earned at the Area 47 Show at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, which won the top honor, the "Excellence Award", along with a cash prize. He has also won awards at local art shows, and the Top of Iowa Conference where he won 1st place in the Sculpture-Non Clay category, and 3-D Best of Show in 2018, and 2019, along with scholarships to Waldorf College.
In 2024, he had the honor of showcasing his most challenging piece to date, "Branching Out" at the IWF Show at the Gerogia World Congress Center in Atlanta in front of an international audience of his peers.
In August 2026, Joel had the privilege to be asked back once again to display his most recent and largest pieces, the artwork entitled "Taking Flight" at the IWF Show at the Georgia World Congress Center, downtown Atlanta GA. (description below)
Taking Flight
African Mahogany, Curly Maple, and Wenge
Inspired by nature, Taking Flight is an exploration of texture and movement on a vast scale. The vessel is defined by a complex tapestry of "overlapping feathers" that layer meticulously into each other, creating a winged silhouette that begins at the base of the vase and fans up the sides. The striking contrast and tightness of the Curly Maple against the deep, resonant tones of African Mahogany and Wenge, highlights the intricate grain of the wood.
The sheer scale of this piece—standing thirty inches tall and spanning twenty-two inches wide—demanded a rigorous technical precision to unite the fanning geometry into a seamless whole. It required both mathematical accuracy and an intuitive feel for the mediums. The result is a powerful blend of nature’s grace and the artisan’s hand, where massive proportions meet the delicate rhythm of the fine details.
22"W x 30"H
