Clarke County
Woodwork
John Pezent is a self-taught woodcraft artisan from Clarke County, Alabama, known for crafting strong, beautiful paddles from Cypress, Oak, and Cedar wood. Each piece begins with raw material sourced from local sawmills or hardware stores and is transformed over the course of a week into a durable, river-ready work of art.
John’s journey into paddle making began when a friend needed a reliable alternative to flimsy plastic or pressed wood paddles. Driven by a desire to help, John turned to leftover boards at a sawmill and built something stronger and better. His time fishing with his grandfather, who often battled with broken paddles and tangled lines, led John to add thoughtful features like a custom line notch for anglers. Paddle-making runs in his blood. John’s Yugoslavian ancestors, the Pezents, were known woodcrafters, shaping whiskey barrel staves and cypress shingles.
In addition to paddle making, John has dabbled in welded art, songwriting, singing, drawing (prior to a brain injury), and building large wooden yard crosses. He began his craft journey in 2017 and credits his creativity and skill entirely to God, saying, “All glory to Him.” Though he’s never had formal training, John is a skilled welder by trade and has applied those hands-on skills to his woodworking with passion and purpose.
Living in Grove Hill/Gainstown, surrounded by the fishing culture of the Black Belt, John understands the need for dependable gear on the water. Every boat needs a good paddle. For him, the most rewarding part of his art is taking a simple board and, through faith and craftsmanship, turning it into something both useful and beautiful. He hasn’t received formal awards, but he proudly shares that his biggest fan is his wife, and his supportive family keeps him inspired every step of the way.