An incredible creative force in our community has passed:
On January 13, 2022, Stephen James Hogbin passed away peacefully in his 80th year.
One of Canada’s “most accomplished, skilled and celebrated woodworkers”, Stephen was born in England. After graduating from Kingston College of Art in 1961 and the Royal College of Art in 1965, he immigrated to Canada in 1968. Stephen taught at Sheridan College from 1968 to 1973 and then started working with wood full time. He is recognized internationally by woodworkers, collectors, educators, and professional organizations for his influence on studio and furniture woodworking. He has exhibited in hundreds of solo and group shows, curated shows, lectured, led workshops and been included in both private and public collections on three continents.
After spending years in Kilsyth and then Lake Charles, in 2016 he opened Intersections Wood Gallery & Studio in downtown Owen Sound where he invited people with an interest in wood to come together and learn. Intersections included a gallery, woodworking studio, resource library, and artist-in-residence program.
In 2021, Stephen organized a visioning session where a group of volunteers, supported by Stephen, came together to lay the groundwork for Intersections Wood Collaborative, a non-profit organization focused on wood – education, sustainability and the exchange of ideas.
Father of Rebecca (Trevor) and Emma (JP) and loved Papa of Zach and Sarah (Jordan). Stephen was survived by his brothers Geoff (Sylvia), Brian (Jane) and Peter (Dorothy) and predeceased by his parents Ethel and Harold Hogbin. Remembered fondly by Margaret and Walker (Liam) Ballantyne as well as Maryann Thomas.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In Stephen’s memory, donations may be made by cheque to the Intersections Wood Collaborative, c/o Box 217 Tara, Ontario, N0H 2N0, to continue the legacy of Intersections; and by cheque to the scholarship fund for students working in wood, c/o Community Foundation Grey Bruce, Box 81, Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 5P1, with "Stephen Hogbin Award" on the memo line.
With thanks to Michael McLuhan for photographs
