About Us – Heitzman Studios
From the beginning of Roger’s career in the 1970’s, he has been attracted to the technical challenges presented by curvilinear forms as they are displayed in various art mediums. For years he focused on mastering these skills of fine furniture making while working primarily in solid wood. The technical competence he gained over the next fifteen years freed him to explore the visual composition of his work through the use of other materials. It has been through the use of these materials—metals, contrasting woods and plastic composites—that he found a much more versatile palette that is allowing him to explore art in motion through the use of accents and details. He strives to craft art that offers a unique visual expression to enhance and transcend function.
For Roger, there is a specific challenge within each new piece as he strives to create 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 him, there are few occupations that offer such a tangible and lasting reward.
Resume
- Community College Teaching Credential
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, 1978 - Single Subject Teaching Credential
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, 1978 - B. A. Degree, Industrial Arts: Woodworking
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, 1977 - A. S. Degree, Architecture
Grossmont College, San Diego, CA, 1973
- First & Second Place, People’s Choice Award, “Ruth Bancroft Garden Sculpture Show”, Walnut Creek, CA 2018
- First Place, People’s Choice Award, “Ruth Bancroft Garden Sculpture Show”, Walnut Creek, CA 2017
- Third Place, “Design in Wood”, San Diego County Fair, Del Mar, CA, 2012
- Niche Award 2012 Finalist, Niche Magazine
- 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
- 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, Foster City, CA 2004
- Guest Speaker – Diablo 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
- “Ruth Bancroft Sculpture in the Garden” – Walnut Creek, CA, 2017, 2018
- “Santa Cruz Woodworkers”, R. Blitzer Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA, 2016
- “Anne & Mark’s Art Party”, San Jose, CA, 2016
- “Baulines Craft Guild 40th Anniversary Member Exhibition” – Corte Madera, CA, 2012
- “SOFA” – Chicago, IL, 2012
- “Design in Wood” – San Diego County Fair, Del Mar, CA 2012
- “SOFA” – New York, NY, 2012
- “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
- Wood Works #25 Part 1, Santa Cruz Community Television, December 2012
- Bespoke: Furniture from 101 International Artists, by Ashley Rooney, 2012
- Santa Cruz Sentinel, “The Finest Furniture: Scotts Valley’s Heitzman pushes art
of furniture building to highest level“, Jan 27, 2012 - 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
- Santa Cruz Woodworkers Association, 2009 – current
- Master Member, Baulines Crafts Guild, San Rafael, CA, 1985 – current
- Furniture Society member, 1999 – current