Tănase Burnar

In love with the art of wood since childhood, the folk craftsman Nicolae Șerban began his career with works representing the Maramureș peasant with his traditions, customs and holidays. His works have been classified as naive art and are won numerous prizes.  In order to participate in fairs and exhibitions to promote traditional culture, the folk creator began to make wooden works for domestic and pastoral use, as well as objects of worship: spoons, salt shakers, spindles, stools, buckets, seals, icons, crucifixes. He completed his artistic mission when he began to create monumental works, both fine art and folk art, becoming famous for the Maramureș gates and crosses, on which he sculpts motifs specific to the area: rope, tree of life, starry symbols, Christian symbols, zoomorphic symbols, avimorphic symbols, etc.  Nicolae Șerban studies and listens to the wood, and the forms of the works of art that come to life in the hands of the craftsman are decided together and are always unique. As a sign of gratitude for the promotion of the culture and crafts of Maramureș, the Maramureș County Council awarded the folk craftsman Nicolae Șerban the honorary title of "Ambassador of Maramureș Tourism". Contact details: Târgul Lăpuș town, Rogoz village, 247 Principală street, mobile phone: 0745 642 120. Workshop access: from Cărbunari, go to the South East on DN 18B, after 28.6 km, at the roundabout, take the second exit; continue on DJ 109F for 5.2 km, then turn left; in 500 m go slightly to the right. The craftsman lives at the exit of the village towards the village of Libotin, at the last house on the left.

Ioan Sabo is a woodcarver from Dăneștii Chioarului, Maramureș County, who specializes in creating wooden statuettes. His statues represent Moroşeni (people from Maramureş) in various life circumstances. Ioan Sabo is a very active folk craftsman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Fair “Goodies of Maramureș” (Bun de Maramureș), as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Mireșu Mare township, Dăneștii Chioarului village, 40 Principală street, mobile phone: 0753 170 342. Workshop access: follow the exit from Baia Mare to Recea, DN 1C, Lăpușel, Hideaga, then on the road 108E Mogoșești, Pribilești, Dăneștii Chioarului, 40 Principală street, there are three large statuettes in the courtyard.

Ioachim Rus is a folk wooden sculptor from Dănești, Maramureș County, who specializes in the construction of Maramureș gates and other monumental works, such as garden pavilions. Our craftsman also makes decorative objects such as dowry boxes, whimsical figurines, wall clocks and the famous wooden calendars. Ioachim Rus is a very active folk craftsman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Fair “Goodies of Maramureș” (Bun de Maramureș), as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Șișești township, Dănești village, 147 Principală street, mobile phone: 0756 946 330. Workshop access: from Casa Olarului, on Luncii st, go to Speranței st; in 41 m continue on Matei Corvin st, in 300 m turn left on Dragoș Vodă/DJ 184 st, and continue ahead for 6.5 km. After passing the Orthodox Church, turn right onto the first street. In 400 m turn left. The workshop is located at 147 Principală street.

Gheorghe Popovici is a folk craftsman from Vadu Izei, Maramureș County, who dedicated his life to promoting Romanian traditions and crafts. A folk craftsman is famous for the care with which he makes decorative objects: statuettes representing authentic Moroşeni (people from Maramureş), dowry boxes, fruit bowls, masks and gates from Maramureș. In addition, he carves household items: ladles, wooden spoons, ladles, from one piece of wood. Also, many of the pieces of traditional furniture from the guesthouses in the area bear the signature of this craftsman. All his works include the archaic symbols specific to Maramureș, such as: the sun, the rope, the honeycomb and the coil. His art is appreciated all over the world, from Portugal, Germany and France to Cape Verde. Gheorghe Popovici is a very active folk craftsman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Fair “Goodies of Maramureș” (Bun de Maramureș), as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Vadu Izei township, Vadu Izei village, 272 Mocirii street, mobile phone: 0732 205 553. Workshop access: from the center of Baia Mare, 1.5 km to Vasile Lucaciu st, then continue on DN 18 for 56.6 km to Vadu Izei. In Vadu Izei, go to 272 Mocirii st, to visit the Folk Master Workshop of Gheorghe Popovici.

Dumitru Pop Tincu is a folk craftsman who laughs at death. He carries on the craft of Stan Ioan Pătraș (sculptor, painter and poet), who laid the foundations of the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța. The Maramureș craftsman carves crosses in oak wood, using the famous "Săpânța blue" painting - the funerary monuments in the Merry Cemetery. He also writes the epitaphs on the crosses, drawing inspiration from the lives of the dead, after thorough documentation. As a sign of gratitude for the promotion of the culture and crafts of Maramureș, the Maramureș County Council awarded the folk craftsman Dumitru Pop Tincu the honorary title of "Ambassador of Maramureș Tourism". Contact details: Săpânța township, Săpânța village, 44 Stan Ioan Pătraș street, Master’s mobile phone: 0746 900 114, mobile phone for contact person Nicoleta Pop: 0748 581 844. Workshop access: From Sighetu Marmației town, go another 18.6 km to Săpânța township, Săpânța village and then go to 445 Stan Ioan Pătraș street, where you can visit the Folk Master Workshop of Dumitru Pop Tincu.

Nicu Pop is a folk wooden sculptor from Plopiș, Maramureș County, who specializes in creating Maramureș gates, crosses and altars for churches. In addition to all this, the craftsman also makes statues representing life-size Moroşeni (people from Maramureș), rustic ladders, but also decorative objects such as dowry boxes or carefully carved landscapes on large wooden boards. Nicu Pop is a very active folk craftsman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Fair “Goodies of Maramureș” (Bun de Maramureș), as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Șișești township, Plopiș village, 137A Principală street, mobile phone: 0743 677 811. Workshop access: from no. 158 in Plopiș village go to no. 137A, to visit the Folk Master Workshop of Nicu Pop.

Gheorghe Mihuț is a folk wooden sculptor from Șurdești, Maramureș County, who specializes in making glass miniatures. The craftsman creates Maramureș gates, spindles, draw wells, small ladders, etc. Gheorghe Mihuț is a very active folk craftsman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Fair “Goodies of Maramureș” (Bun de Maramureș), as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Șișești township, Șurdești village, 406 Principală street, mobile phone: 0736 642 851. Workshop access: from number 30A, go to number 406 in Șurdești village and stop at the Master Workshop of Gheorghe Mihuț.

Ștefan Fărcaș is a folk woodcarver from Cavnic, Maramureș County, who, after retiring from mining, dedicated his life to promoting traditions. With skill and patience as a watchmaker, he carves miniature jewelry in wood: traditional houses, churches, water mills, fountains and gates from Maramureș. However, the master's strengths are handcrafted bottles inside which are assembled ornaments such as: the Dacian knot, the spindle and the ladder. His artwork found its way to France, Belgium, Ukraine, Canada, the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Ștefan Fărcaș is a very active folk craftsman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Fair “Goodies of Maramureș” (Bun de Maramureș), as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Cavnic town, 1 Independenței street, mobile phone: 0745 053 421. Workshop access: from Șișești township, Șurdești village, drive 7.8 km on DJ 184 to Cavnic town, on 1 Independenței street.

Petru Codrea is a folk woodcarver from Valea Stejarului, Maramureș County, who specializes in making Maramureș gates, crosses and summer altars for churches. Former apprentice of the famous Moș Pupăză, Petru Codrea has quite a difficult mission. He continues the work of his predecessor, keeping the tradition of woodworking, doing both monumental works, as well as household and decorative objects. The folk craftsman, Petru Codrea, participated in national and international fairs together with the Maramureș County Council. Among his most representative works we mention the Maramureș Gate in front of the Administrative Palace in Baia Mare, the crucifix in the Village Museum in Baia Mare. He also restored the Maramureș Gate in Vienna. Contact details: Sighetu Marmației, 117 Valea Stejarului street, mobile phone: 0752-451811. Workshop access: from 272 Mocirii street, Vadu Izei village, Vadu Izei township, one can stop at the Folk Master Workshop of Petru Codrea.