Chad Awalt is one of those artists who blend a distinguished regard for traditional techniques into an indelible fusion of contemporary form. His carved wooden torsos in exotic and native woods are in every manner traditional. Emulating the human form, it is as if the model was captured in wood; even the grain is in agreement with the rise and swell of muscle, movement, and structure. However, this is where tradition departs. Contemporary structural support of this figure is a swirl of not only the wood- but of equal importance- the negative space. It is a beauty to behold that the silhouette observed in the negative is as sensuous as the carved areas.

Awalt's study of wood and experience as an established artisan is the answer to how perfectly the grain follows the contours of the human torsos. Viewing the cross cut grain of the tree trunk is where Chad finds his first hints of a possible pose. Gently removing the outer layers of wood almost becomes an act of undressing the piece to find the shape within. Only when the grain reveals its character does the artist then pose his model to connect with the wood and the sculpting process begins.

Each sculpture is born from a single, solid trunk, and Chad Awalt is on the constant alert for new trees of possibility. Friends, family, and neighbors inform him of windfall, or old trees that need to be removed, and even go to the trouble to deliver him pieces they feel would be of use. Each trunk is prepared and cured before the carving can begin. Each finished sculpture is exquisite and gives testimony to the beauty and strength of mankind married to nature.

Study:
Studied Anatomy and Physiology - Bachelors Degree -1981 - University of Colorado

Agrell & Thorpe School of Classical Woodcarving - 1989/ 1991/ 1992 - San Francisco, CA

Loveland Academy of Art - 1992 / 1994/ 1995 - Loveland, CO

Atlanta College of Art -1994 - Atlanta, GA

High Museum of Art - 1997 - Life casting - Atlanta, GA

Terrence Coyle - 1994- Instructor: The Art Students League of New York
- Author: Anatomy Lessons From The Great Masters

Chris DiDomizio - 1997-2000 - School of Old World Art - Atlanta, GA

Ed Moulthrop - 1996 - 2000 - Studied the properties of wood

George Frank - 1985 - Conservator: New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Author: Adventures in Wood Finishing

Bruce Hoadly - 1986 - Professor of wood technology - University of Massachusetts

Steven Smith - 1995 Artist

Sam Maloof - 1986

Tage Frid - 1987

Ian Kirby - 1986

Shows, Exhibitions and Organizations:
Colleague of the National Sculpture Society
Member of the Woodworkers Guild of Georgia

1989, 1990, 1991 Woodworkers Guild of Georgia - 1st place - Woodcarving Division
1995 Woodworkers Guild of Georgia - Instructor of woodcarving
1992, 1993, 1994 Southeastern Woodcarvers Association -
Featured guest exhibitor & demonstrator for annual regional show
1996, 1997 Southeastern Woodcarvers Association - Judge for regional carving competition
1995 High Museum of Art - Atlanta, GA
Lecture and Demonstration in conjunction with the Herter Brothers Exhibition
1997 Solo Show: "The Female Figure in Wood", Christopher Maier Gallery, New Orleans, LA
1999 High Museum of Art - Atlanta, GA - Woodcarving Demonstration and Exhibition
1999 Solo Show: "The Human Figure in Wood", Christopher Maier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2001 Two Person Show: Trinity Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2000 Solo show: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
2002 International Art Expo, New York, NY
2002 Juried Exhibition: Loveland Sculpture in the Park, Loveland, CO
2002 Solo Show: Legacy Fine Art Gallery, Hot Springs, AR
2002 Group Show: Marie Terrel Gallery, Asheville, NC
2002 Group Show: Milan Gallery, Fort Worth, TX
2003 Solo Show: Marie Terrel Gallery, Asheville, NC
2003 International Art Expo, New York, NY
2003 Group Show: The Muse Gallery, Grandview, OH
2003 Solo show: Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
2004 Solo show, Erica Kay FIne Art Gallery, Atlanta Ga
2004 Colaboration: Asheville Ballet, Production of "WOOD"
2004 Group show, Edmond Craig Gallery, Fort Worth, TX.
2004 "Art for life", Columbus Aids Task Force benefit auction.Columbus Museum of Art
2004 Young Professionals Organization Luncheon, A Muse Gallery, Columbus Ohio,
2004 Benifit Auction for victims of sexual abuse, Georgia Museum of Modern Art, Atlanta, GA.
2004 Group show, Mary Martin Gallery, Charlston, SC
2004 Group show, Mason Murer Gallery, Atlanta Ga
2004 Juried Exhibition: Loveland Sculpture in the Park, Loveland, CO
2004 Juried Exhibition: South Eastern Art Exhibition Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL
2004 Group show, Edmond Craig Gallery Fort Worth, Tx
2004 Solo show, Mason Murer Gallery, Atlanta Ga
2005 Juried Exhibition: Rockerfeller Center New York NY
2005 Wood Artists, Boscumb Louise Museum Exhibition, Highlands, NC
2005 Juried Exhibition: Loveland Sculpture in the Park, Loveland, CO
2007 Voted best of show "Artist vote" , Mid-South Sculpture Alliance,Chattanooga, TN
2007 Studio E Gallery, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
2008 Studio E Gallery, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Selected collections:
Disney Maision Blance
Glass and Bird All Saints Episcopal
Christopher Maier Roberts University
Ceasars Palace The Gussman Center
Alan Tanksley Dr. Phillip Wilson
Palmer Library, Rhodes Hall
Charles Ross, Atlanta Maryland Masonic
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, Atlanta, Ga Dr. & Mrs. Myles Jerdan
Boscomb Louise Museum, North Carolina, Georgia State Capitol
Montgomery and Associates, Sarasota,FL Cherokee Country Club
Alabama Supreme Court Marieta Womens Center
Sheraton Corporate, Key West Usher
Joes Stone Crab, Miami