While working on the lathe “one must work from the center both physically and spiritually,” the artist Aaron Hammer states. “Starting with a raw log and transforming it into a finely finished and cherished object is the joy of my creation.”
Originally from Kansas City, craftsman Aaron Hammer traveled extensively after high school to destinations including Israel, India, and Nepal and then made the island of Oʻahu his home in 1993. Aaron was mentored by master wood-turners Jerry Kermode and Ron Kent and began operating his own professional wood-turning studio in 2000. He now produces a full line of HammerCraft, lathe-turned art, and gift items from his studio in Papaikou since 2014.
In addition to running his business, Aaron has served on the Board of Directors of The Pacific Handcrafters Guild holding the titles of Vice President and President. He is active now on the Board of Directors for the Hawai’i Forest Industry Association and in the local Hawai’i art and wood shows, winning awards at the HFIA wood shows of 2011 and 2022. Aaron also loves teaching and has offered wood-turning classes locally in Laupahoehoe. As an instructor, he has been invited to teach wood-turning workshops at Pratt Art Center in Seattle WA. and was recently invited to teach a third workshop at the world-famous Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.