Moulthrop Legacy 

Showcasing a selection of local private collectors and bowls from Georgia Council for the Arts State Archives.

Located in Gallery 2 at MMCC

Ed Moulthrop (1916–2003)

The Father of Modern Woodturning

Graduate of Princeton University and the Beaux Arts Institute of Design, Ed became an assistant professor of Physics and Architecture at Georgia Tech before pursuing wood-turning. He developed large-scale bowls using his own tools and stabilizing techniques. He treated wood with polyethylene glycol to prevent cracking and then finished with resin for a glass-like sheen. Ed often acknowledged the wood’s natural “flaws” (lightning strike patterns, fungi) as design features. Ed’s work is part of the private collections of individuals such as Steven Spielberg and former President Jimmy Carter.

Philip Moulthrop (b. 1947)

Innovator of Mosaic Bowls

Son of Ed, Philip transitioned from law to full-time woodturner. He developed a unique style, pioneering mosaic bowls—using glue-embedded branch cross-sections, turned again to reveal “floating” patterns. His work can be found in the Smithsonian Renwick, Mint Museum and at Yale.

Matt Moulthrop (b. 1977)

The Third Generation

First turned at age 7, and went on to study business at UGA and Georgia Tech. Matt continues the family tradition with modern, clean bowls crafted from Southeastern hardwoods. His work has been featured in the Museum of Arts & Design, LACMA, the Smithsonian, and the White House Craft Collection.

Thank you to our kind sponsor Cathy Mullins, the Georgia Council for the Arts, and our local private collectors: Cade Cowan, Christine Lambert, Cathy Mullins, & Cindi Fetch and Preston Snyder for making this exhibit possible.

Show runs July 22 -Sept 12. Stay tuned for Sunday Symposium (TBA) with Matt Moulthrop.