Starting this November, the Reboli Center is proud to feature an Artisan of the Month. “We are thrilled to introduce you to longtime Mt. Sinai resident, Hal Usher, a woodturner,” said Lois Reboli, president of the Center and wife of the late Long Island painter Joseph Reboli, for whom the Center is named. Hal Usher has had an interesting life. He graduated from the University of North Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies. He enlisted with the United States Air Force and became a pilot, and then had a career as a TWA pilot. Leaving that job, he founded and started a tree and landscaping business.
He made furniture as a hobby and then became interested in woodturning. While spending a year in St. John, Virgin Islands, Usher met master woodturner Avelino Samuel, and took lessons from him during his stay on the Island. He was soon turning out his own wood bowls. They remain friends as Usher lives in St. John part of the year, where he has an outdoor shop overlooking the Virgin Islands. He sells his work at galleries here and in St. John.
“Having been an arborist in the local area for fifty years, I have excellent sources of interesting woods. I primarily turn Cherry burl, figured Maple, Walnut and Yew. While in St. John I am lucky to have an array of very exotic woods: Lignum vitae, Cordia, “Monkey no climb” and many others.”
Usher explains, “My mantra is ‘less is more.’ Consequently, I use a minimal amount of decorating or enhancement on my work. I also focus on turning imperfect wood. I am not a designer by nature and focus on letting the wood speak for itself. Once the piece is on the lathe my approach is to gradually uncover the beauty within. Sometimes there is no beauty, and the piece ends up in the firewood pile. Other times there is a re-design as the process evolves. A salad bowl may end up being a platter. Occasionally I end up with a thing of beauty that is ‘almost’ perfect. My goal is not only to have my work admired, but also to be useful. Salad bowls, fruit bowls and platters are my staple. Decorative vases and hollow vessels provide me with constantly changing challenges.”
During this phase of his life, Usher has turned more than 2000 pieces, and attended woodturning symposiums throughout the world. Now he is spending time teaching and mentoring, to share his talents and expertise.
Visitors can see Usher’s work at the Reboli Center during the month of November. Items are for sale in the Design Shop. The Center is free, and open Tuesday – Saturday from 11am-5pm and Sunday from 1pm-5pm. Masks must be worn, and social distancing is required. For more information on the Artisan of the Month, please call the Reboli Center at 631-751-7707.
