The objects and books presented this exhibtion are works by artists in the Center's museum collection who showed in early craft shows with gallery artist Steve Madsen and inspired him. Artist include Hap Sakwa, Michael Graham, Mark Lindquist, David Ellsworth, Giles Gilson and Mel Lindquist.

Books that inspired Steve Madsen from the Wood Turning Center Library include:

"Woodenwork" (1972), catalog of the FIRST exhibit at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian, Washington, DC, (included Sam Maloof, Art Carpenter, Wendell Castle, George Nakashima and Wharton Esherick);
"Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950's" by Cara Greenberg (c. 1984, 1995)
"Made in Oakland: The Furniture of Gary Knox Bennett" (2001)
"New Mexico Furniture 1600-1940" by Lonn Taylor and Dessa Bokides (1987).

The Center's copies are on display.

When asked "What books were and are of sources of inspiration and/or important to you?" Steve Madsen's replied:

The first book that really turned me on aside from Janson's "History of Art", was and is "Woodenworks". I believe it is the catalog from the first exhibit at the Renwick Gallery. My best friend and fellow wood artist had a copy from his mother who was a docent at the Renwick, and as it turned out I borrowed it so much that he had her send me my own copy. That was a show that included Sam Maloof, Wendell Castel, George Nakashima, Art Carpenter, and Wharton Esherick...still gives me chills when I review it.

I try to avoid looking at other current woodwork publications and prefer to study more art history material. Any Art Deco as well as Russian Constructivism....also works by Klee, Miro, Kandinski, Max Ernst, Calder, De Chirico, H.C. Westerman, Joseph Cornel and most architecture. Contemporary favorites include Gary Bennet, Wendell Castel, Ed Zukka, Alphonse Mattia, Roseann Summerson, Wendy Maruyama, Judy McKie, Tom Leosser. And Turner's include Mark and Mel Lindquist, Giles Gilson and David Ellsworth.