For many years I have been fascinated by functional art, and for me the most appealing approach has been through furniture and it’s most natural medium, wood. I have always felt that furniture should do more than simply serve a practical purpose; I feel it should also offer a unique visual expression that enhances and transcends function. Ideally this expression will come from a skillful blend of distinct visual design and high quality craftsmanship.
There is a specific challenge within each new piece in that there should always be a unique harmony between visual design, function and construction. It is always an exciting moment when that harmony is found, whether on the drawing board or on the workbench. For me, there are few occupations that offer such a tangible and lasting reward.
Santa Cruz Sentinel, "The Finest Furniture: Scotts Valley's Heitzman pushes art of furniture building to highest level," Jan 27, 2012
INTERVIEW The Path to Success is Carved From Wood
INTERVIEW Northern California woodworker combines mechanical ingenuity with contemporary design
RESUME
EDUCATION
- B. A. Degree - Industrial Arts: Woodworking - 1977
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
- Community College Teaching Credential - 1978
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
- Single Subject Teaching Credential - 1978
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
- A. S. Degree - Architecture - 1973
Grossmont College, San Diego, CA
AWARDS
- Honorable Mention (2 pieces), Veneer Tech's Craftsman's Challenge 2007
- First Place, NW Fine Woodworking Box and Container Show, Seattle, WA 2002
- Third Place, "Design in Wood", San Diego County Fair, Del Mar, CA, 2002
- Jurors Award, "Anything With A Drawer", Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ, 2001
- Excellence in Craftsmanship Awards - American Woodworker Magazine, '97 ,'98
- Alfreda and Sam Maloof Scholarship - Anderson Ranch Art Center, Aspen, CO, 1990
- Jurors Award for Excellence - Northern California Woodworking Associations Group Show. Mendocino, CA, 1982
RELATED EMPLOYMENT & ENGAGEMENTs
- Finish Carpentry - various projects, Louis Ptak Construction Inc, Design Woodworking Inc. 2005 - present
- Marc Adams School of Woodworking, Franklin, IN, Instructor, June 2002 and 2004
- Guest Speaker - Bay Area Woodworkers Association, Pleasant Hill, CA 2003
- Guest Speaker - University of California Santa Cruz, Triton Museum, Santa Clara, CA 1999
- Juror - Sonoma Woodworkers Annual Show, Santa Rosa 1995
- Foothill DeAnza College, Cupertino, CA; Instructor of Furniture Design, Spring, 1996-1998
- Master Craftsman, California Contemporary Craft Association Apprenticeship Program, 1990 -1997
- Lecturer in woodworking seminar series offered by California Contemporary Craft Association, 1986-1992
- Panelist - Furniture Society Conference, Oakland, CA 1998
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
- "Studio Made", Santa Cruz Woodworkers exhibition, Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, CA, 2011
- "Baulines Crafts Guild Masters Show", Marin Community Foundation, Novato, CA, 2011
- Santa Cruz Woodworkers exhibit at the Rittenhouse building, Santa Cruz, 2009-2011
- "Design for the New Century" - 600 Towsend, San Francisco, CA 2003
- "23rd Annual Box and Container Show" - NW Fine Woodworking, Seattle, WA, 2002
- "The Right Stuff" - University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 2002-2003
- "Design 2002"- Contract Design Center, San Francisco, CA 2002
- "Anything With A Drawer" - Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ, 2001
- "California Design 2000" - 600 Townsend, San Francisco, CA, 1999
- "SOFA" - Chicago, 1998
- "Off the Wall"- Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA, 1992
- "Black and White" - Tercera Gallery, Los Gatos, CA, 1992
- "Benchmark: Furniture for the Nineties" - Gallery Fair, Mendocino, CA, 1990
- "Design '85, '89" - Showplace Square, San Francisco, CA
- "Fine Art of Furniture" - Highlight Gallery, Mendocino, CA, 1988
- "Furniture in the Aluminum Vein" - Kaiser Invitational, Oakland, CA, 1986
- "California Classics" - Macy's, San Francisco, CA, 1986
- "Western States Invitational" Wood Show - Mendocino, CA, 1982 -1986
- "Northern California Woodworkers Association Show" - Mendocino, CA, 1982
- "Traditional to Contemporary" - Santa Cruz, CA, 1981
- "Studio Glassart" - Santa Cruz Woodworkers Association Exhibition, S.C., CA, 1981
- "California Woodworking" - Los Robles Gallery, Palo Alto, CA 1980
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Wood Works #9, Santa Cruz Community Television, April 2011
- Scotts Valley Patch, “The Path to Success is Carved From Wood,” Dec 27, 2010
- 500 Tables, Lark Books, 2009
- 500 Cabinets, Lark Books, 2008
- 400 Boxes, Lark Books, 2004
- Wood Art Today, by Donna Milach, 2003
- Custom Furniture Source Book - Taunton Press, 2001
- American Crafts Magazine - 1982, 1999, 2001
- Fine Woodworking Magazine – Feature Article, “Square Peg in a Round Hole,” 2006 (#185)
- Woodwork – Feature Article, “ The Ultimate Layout and Assembly Table“ June 2004
- Fine Woodworking Magazine - 1982 (#37), 1984 (#46), 1989 (# 79), 2001
- Woodwork West Magazine - Feature Article 1999, 2001
- Woodwork - 1989 (#1), 1990 (#8), 1992 (#16), 1998 (#63), 2001 (#71)
- American Woodworker Magazine - 1997, 1998
- CWB Magazine - Feature Article, Feb. 1998
- Design Book 8 - The Taunton Press, 2009
- Design Book 7 - The Taunton Press, 1996
- Design Book 6 - The Taunton Press, 1992
- Design Book 5 - The Taunton Press, 1990
- Design Book 4 - The Taunton Press, 1987
- Woodshop News - Feature Article, April 1993
- San Jose Mercury News - 1992
- The Workshop Book - The Taunton Press, 1991
- Fine Woodworking Magazine, Feature Article, “Metalworking in the Woodshop,” 1989 (#79)
- Sacramento Bee - 1986, 1989
- West Magazine - 1984
- Santa Cruz Weekly - 1981
- Santa Cruz Sentinel - 1981
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Santa Cruz Woodworkers Association, 2009 - current
- Master Member, Baulines Crafts Guild, San Rafael, CA, 1985 - current
- Furniture Society member, 1999 - current