John Gallis - Norseman Designs West

3532 Cottonwood Avenue
Cody, Wyoming 82414
307.587.7777



October 17, 2001
The Cody Enterprise

Yellowstone Desk

The geyser-like grain of these drawers, crafted from mulberry wood, inspired Cody artisan John Gallis to name this piece "Yellowstone Desk," which received the Best of Show and Martin-Harris Award of Excellence at the Western Design Conference last month.

Gallis' desk awarded WDC Best of Show

Cody craftsman John Gallis' "Yellowstone Desk" received the Best of Show and Martin-Harris Award of Excellence at the ninth annual Western Design Conference Sept. 19-22.

Drawing inspiration from nature and the natural grain of the wood, Gallis named his piece the "Yellowstone Desk" as the upward fan of the grain on the mulberry drawer fronts reminded him of Old Faithful erupting.

The desk also features solid walnut and juniper legs. He estimates 400 hours of labor went into the desk, which was commissioned as part of a "his and hers" set.

"What I try to do is tell a story with my furniture, so the more you look, the more you see: different woods, colors, textures," he says. "I feel I'm creating something people will admire and that will last hundreds of years."

Gallis says he still is surprised to receive the recognition he does.

"At first, I thought someone was playing a joke on me by putting the ribbon on my desk," he says.

In past years, he has received awards for woodworking craftsmanship, Exhibitor's Choice and has twice received the People's Choice Award.


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