Mixed Media, New to One of a Kind
Contemporary Whirligigs
3D Mixed Media Kinetic Sculpture
Education:
BFA Carnegie Mellon University 1985
Professional:
1985 – 1988 Riddle Johnson Design Associates, Pittsburgh
1988 – 1991 Graphic Designer, Hal Lewis Design, Philadelphia
1990 – 1992 Assoc Professor, Moore College of Art and Design (Typography)
1992 – 1998 Creative Director, Hal Lewis Group, Philadelphia
1998 – Present President, HLG Health Communications, Inc.
Board Appointments:
American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA), Philly Chapter, President
Beck Institute of Cognitive Therapy
Temple Beth Hillel – Beth El, Wynnewood, PA
Main Line Arts Center
Artistic Career:
Contemporary Whirligigs and Kinetics (mixed media/wood)
Artist’s statement:
David Winigrad is a mixed-media artist based in the Philadelphia suburbs. After receiving his BFA from Carnegie-Mellon University, David pursued a long career as a Creative Director in the advertising and commercial art world. Transitioning from the 2D to the 3D medium began in 2013 with challenge of advancing the traditional whirligig folk art form through a contemporary lens. The resulting wind-powered, kinetic sculptures retain the whimsy of their precursors while incorporating a modern aesthetic and the beauty of wood. Recently, his work has expanded to include a range of kinetic executions including mobiles, stabiles, balancers and radiometer lamps. David has won numerous awards and exhibited at the most prestigious craft shows in the country, including the Smithsonian Craft Show, Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show and American Craft Council Show.
Awards/Recognition:
Award of Distinction — Central PA Arts Festival
Best in Show — Fine Arts Craft Festival
Award of Distinction — Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival
Master Artisan Designation — PA Guild of Craftsmen
Best of Show – Manayunk Arts Festival
Best in Category – Manayunk Arts Festival
Featured Artist — Craft + Design Show, Visual Arts Center of Richmond
Best in Show — Mystic Art Festival
Unique Vision Award — Rittenhouse Fine Crafts Show
Selected Exhibitions:
2025 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
2024 Wheaton Festival of Fine Craft
2023 Smithsonian Craft Show
2022 Long’s Park Art Festival
2021 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
2019 DaVinci Art Alliance
2019 Peters Valley – Visiting Teaching Artist
2019 Smithsonian Craft Show
2018 Craft + Design Show — Visual Arts Center of Richmond
2018 American Craft Council – Baltimore
2017 American Fine Craft Show – Brooklyn Museum
2017 Rhinebeck Craft Festival
2017 Long’s Park Art Festival
2017 PAFA Gift Shop
2017 American Craft Council – Baltimore
2016 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
2016 Lyndhurst Craft Festival – New York
2016 American Craft Council – Baltimore
2015 Craft + Design Show — Visual Arts Center of Richmond (Featured Artist)
2015 Long’s Park Art Festival
2015 Manayunk Arts Festival
Recent Articles:
American Craft Magazine June/July 2018
https://www.craftcouncil.org/magazine/article/wind-and-wood
Website: www.whirligigcraft.com
Instagram: @whirligig_guy
Twitter: @WhirligigCraft
Personal:
• Mainline resident 25+ years
• Married with two children + one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Interests: skiing, golf, scuba, crossword puzzles
• Son of Etta Winigrad, ceramic sculptor
BFA Carnegie Mellon University 1985
Professional:
1985 – 1988 Riddle Johnson Design Associates, Pittsburgh
1988 – 1991 Graphic Designer, Hal Lewis Design, Philadelphia
1990 – 1992 Assoc Professor, Moore College of Art and Design (Typography)
1992 – 1998 Creative Director, Hal Lewis Group, Philadelphia
1998 – Present President, HLG Health Communications, Inc.
Board Appointments:
American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA), Philly Chapter, President
Beck Institute of Cognitive Therapy
Temple Beth Hillel – Beth El, Wynnewood, PA
Main Line Arts Center
Artistic Career:
Contemporary Whirligigs and Kinetics (mixed media/wood)
Artist’s statement:
David Winigrad is a mixed-media artist based in the Philadelphia suburbs. After receiving his BFA from Carnegie-Mellon University, David pursued a long career as a Creative Director in the advertising and commercial art world. Transitioning from the 2D to the 3D medium began in 2013 with challenge of advancing the traditional whirligig folk art form through a contemporary lens. The resulting wind-powered, kinetic sculptures retain the whimsy of their precursors while incorporating a modern aesthetic and the beauty of wood. Recently, his work has expanded to include a range of kinetic executions including mobiles, stabiles, balancers and radiometer lamps. David has won numerous awards and exhibited at the most prestigious craft shows in the country, including the Smithsonian Craft Show, Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show and American Craft Council Show.
Awards/Recognition:
Award of Distinction — Central PA Arts Festival
Best in Show — Fine Arts Craft Festival
Award of Distinction — Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival
Master Artisan Designation — PA Guild of Craftsmen
Best of Show – Manayunk Arts Festival
Best in Category – Manayunk Arts Festival
Featured Artist — Craft + Design Show, Visual Arts Center of Richmond
Best in Show — Mystic Art Festival
Unique Vision Award — Rittenhouse Fine Crafts Show
Selected Exhibitions:
2025 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
2024 Wheaton Festival of Fine Craft
2023 Smithsonian Craft Show
2022 Long’s Park Art Festival
2021 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
2019 DaVinci Art Alliance
2019 Peters Valley – Visiting Teaching Artist
2019 Smithsonian Craft Show
2018 Craft + Design Show — Visual Arts Center of Richmond
2018 American Craft Council – Baltimore
2017 American Fine Craft Show – Brooklyn Museum
2017 Rhinebeck Craft Festival
2017 Long’s Park Art Festival
2017 PAFA Gift Shop
2017 American Craft Council – Baltimore
2016 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
2016 Lyndhurst Craft Festival – New York
2016 American Craft Council – Baltimore
2015 Craft + Design Show — Visual Arts Center of Richmond (Featured Artist)
2015 Long’s Park Art Festival
2015 Manayunk Arts Festival
Recent Articles:
American Craft Magazine June/July 2018
https://www.craftcouncil.org/magazine/article/wind-and-wood
Website: www.whirligigcraft.com
Instagram: @whirligig_guy
Twitter: @WhirligigCraft
Personal:
• Mainline resident 25+ years
• Married with two children + one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Interests: skiing, golf, scuba, crossword puzzles
• Son of Etta Winigrad, ceramic sculptor
