Volume VII Issue 3 - FALL 2009

The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine is a woodworking school that offers courses in furniture making and related skills such as carving, turning, marquetry and finishing. The Messler Gallery on campus is noted for exhibiting superior work. Currently, the Messler is showing new work by 23 faculty members. Nearly 300 students attend the school every year and their instructors come from all over the United States as well as Canada, Australia, and England. The work on exhibit speaks of the diverse backgrounds and visions of the faculty. Kevin Rodel’s Prairie-Style Light Box is a striking example of the Arts and Crafts tradition. Alternatively, Pete Schlebecker’s Sunrise Lamp. incorporates contemporary technology with colorful LED bulbs and an illumintation-by-touch feature. Drawings by artist John Walley, a “plyscape” by Stephen Gleasner, and a wooden torso by Chris Pye (shown) complement the Center’s functional furniture-making emphasis with the world of sculpture and painting. For more info, visit the Messler Gallery online. (Exhibition runs until September 4th, 2009)

Photo by Chris Pye

To be held October 15 - 17 in downtown Minneapolis, the American Craft Council’s 2009 three-day conference will bring together dynamic voices from the field and beyond to discuss craft's role in a changing world. The star-studded line up of presenters include Dr. Richard Sennett, professor of sociology at New York University and the London School of Economics, and author of The Craftsman; Rob Walker, columnist for the New York Times Magazine and author of Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What We Buy and Who We Are; and Garth Clark, esteemed curator, scholar, historian and gallerist.
"The goal of the conference is to investigate the inherent differences between craft as a lifestyle and craft as a livelihood. These differences are not new to craft," said Monica Hampton, director of education, American Craft Council. "For many, making is a meaningful way of life, but the question is - how can the core values of craft play a role in future marketplace models? Creating a New Craft Culture will seek to pinpoint the role of craft and the handmade in our constantly changing world."

For additional information on the conference agenda, speakers and registration, visit the conference Web site.

See more of Thomas Gallenberg's exquisite
Greene & Greene work at the Milwaukee show,
or visit his site online.

The 4th Annual Milwaukee Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show will be held October 3 & 4, 2009 in The Garage at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. It was originally scheduled for September 26 & 27, 2009 at the Midwest Airlines Center.
The show will feature handcrafted furniture, furnishings, fine art and crafts for sale, order or commission by 60+ exhibitors from across North America, but primarily from Wisconsin. Additional amenities at the site include the Harley-Davison Museum, Café Racer (serving breakfast & lunch), Motor (a restaurant and bar serving lunch and dinner), and free parking for cars and motorcycles. The Harley-Davidson Museum is located at the crossroads of 6th and Canal Streets.
"We are changing the date for the show. We are moving it to the first weekend in October," said Karla Little. "I came to the realization that September is still summer in Wisconsin in many people's eyes and even just one weekend later in the year is better for the exhibitors and attendees. I am also thrilled that the Green Bay Packers will be playing Monday Night Football on October 5th so there is no game conflict for the show either!"

Visit Fine Furnishings online to learn about attending and exhibiting, show specials, and to sign-up for the show e-newsletter.

The Mid-Hudson Woodworkers is a chapter of the Northeastern Woodworkers Association (NWA), "a group of people who love woodworking and want to get better at it". The chapter is based in the Kingston, NY area, and they will host their third annual show on Saturday, October 17, from 10 AM to PM at the Hurley Reformed Church (about half an hour north of I-84). Included are displays of fine woodworking items, demonstrations of woodworking techniques, a children’s workshop on birdhouses and cars, a raffle of selected fine woodworking items, and a sale of used tools and rough cut lumber.

For more info, visit the club online.