As Woodworker
I enjoy generating works of art, which serve to enhance the aesthetic richness and value of daily life. That is, my art furniture creations are intended—for the most part—to be functional, yet deeply imbued with expressive content. Nearly all of my creations are "one-of-a-kind" pieces, or Limited Editions.
The materials employed are principally hardwoods (domestic and exotic), and various finishes that protect and enhance without significantly altering the natural grain and color of wood. The joinery employed is both traditional and non-traditional, depending upon the aesthetic and structural requirements of each piece.
My great joy in making a piece of furniture is just that—creating—a piece of furniture. While some of my work has been influenced by art history, all of the represented works are original designs—generated from within.
When people ask me how I learned to make furniture, I must give the inspirational credit to my father, Robert. From a very early age, I had a hammer or saw in my hands, so "doing" became an inherent way of "knowing."
The art furniture thrust of my life began in my twenties (some thirty-plus years ago), when as a young husband; I decided to build a few pieces of furniture for our home. Since then, I have engaged in a considerable amount of personal study regarding design, technique and process. The process (or "spinning out") of a creation is a completely fulfilling endeavor. Creating in wood is not unlike creating in other art forms. My main profession/vocation/passion for several decades has been that of music and musician. The woodworker and the musician in me are really not two sides of the same coin, but rather more like the fusion of a single entity.
As Musician
Professor of Music Douglas Nimmo began his tenure at Gustavus Adolphus College in 1987. Since then he has served as conductor of the Gustavus and Vasa Wind Orchestras, taught instrumental conducting and instrumental methods, and supervised student teachers.
Under his leadership, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra has toured throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest United States, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Austria, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Poland and Hungary. In addition, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra has completed residencies with composers David Holsinger, Csaba Déak, and Thomas Root. Other residencies have included Swedish trombone virtuoso Christian Lindberg and world-famous trumpeter Allen Vizzutti.
Gustavus Adolphus College has commissioned new works for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, of which David Holsinger's Easter Symphony is of particular note. As part of its 125th Anniversary Celebration in 2003, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra premiered a new composition by internationally known composer, Steve Heitzeg, and premiered a new work by composer David Gillingham as part of its 2006 tour to Eastern Europe.
Dr. Nimmo is active as a guest conductor and clinician, and as a writer. He has published articles in Music Educators Journal, Teaching Music, BD Guide, and Gopher Music Notes. As an arranger, his transcription of Johann Sebastian Bach's Praeludium and Fuga in G Major was performed on the wind orchestra's tour to the Southwest in 2003.
In addition, Dr. Nimmo is a recipient of the Gustavus Adolphus College Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching. He has earned degrees from the University of Minnesota—Duluth, Vandercook College of Music and Arizona State University, and holds memberships in the American Bandmasters Association, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Beta Mu, College Band Directors National Association, and Phi Kappa Lambda. In addition to his academic endeavors, he is an avid builder of art furniture and a sailor. He and his wife, Virginia, have two marvelous daughters, Andrea and Beth.
