Rude Osolnik, was born in Dawson, New Mexico, and lived in Berea, Kentucky, where he taught in the Industrial Arts Department at Berea College for forty years. He received an undergraduate degree and an MFA from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He gave workshops and demonstrated wood turning throughout the United States, including Alaska, as well as in New Zealand. In addition to being a teacher and wood artist, he was also known for his production work, which included creating wooden alphabet letters for Childcraft, makers of educational toys, and making thousands of his signature candlesticks for major department stores during the 1950s and 60s.

In 1950 he received a National Award for Contemporary Design from the International Wood Manufacturers. Between 1961 and 1987 he repeatedly served on the Board of Directors of the Southern Highlands Handicraft Guild, which honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. He was a Founder, Lifetime Member, and Fellow of the Kentucky Guild of Artisans and Craftsmen and a Fellow of the American Craft Council. In 1992 he received the Kentucky Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievements in the Arts.​

• Born: 1915
• Died: 2001
• Hometown: Dawson, NM
• Education: Bradley University

Osolnik’s work was characterized by its simplicity, precision, and a deep appreciation for the inherent beauty of wood. He used traditional turning techniques to create bowls, vessels, and other functional items, showcasing the natural characteristics of the wood grain.

Throughout his career, Rude Osolnik gained recognition for his mastery of the lathe and his commitment to craftsmanship. His turned wood pieces are admired for their elegance and timeless appeal. Osolnik’s influence on the field of woodturning is significant, and his work is part of many prestigious collections and museums.

Collections

• Arizona State University Art Museum, Tempe
• Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
• Fine Arts Museum of the South, Mobile, AL
• High Museum of Art, Atlanta; Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL
• J. B. Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Museum of Sciences and Industry, Chicago
• Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC; Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, Asheville, NC
• Wood Turning Center, Philadelphia