Michael Puryear wins Award of Distinction

The Furniture Society has selected Michael Puryear, a furniture maker, designer and educator in Shokan, N.Y., for its 2023 Award of Distinction that recognizes lifetime achievement in the studio furniture arts. He will receive the award at the Society’s annual conference, scheduled for June 8-10 in New Orleans.

“Michael Puryear exemplifies the ‘ethical maker’ of furniture, who has quietly advocated through his own example by producing subtle, elegant furniture for over 40 years,” the award’s jurors said in statement.

Puryear’s work can be found in many major collections, most recently the Smithsonian Museum of African American Museum of History & Culture.

He tells Woodshop News about being surprised and elated with news of the award.

“For one thing, it was unexpected. For all the years I’ve been doing this it’s nice to have acknowledgement in a large way by your peers. So, that’s really why it’s important. I’ve been part of The Furniture Society almost since the beginning and I’ve watched it grow and develop. I was on the board for about eight years, so I have a lot of appreciation for the organization. I think they’re doing a great job,” says Puryear.

A frequent exhibitor at major craft shows, Puryear says he’s winding that part of his business down due to the changing market. He will still do projects and commissions and continue to teach others as it brings him great joy.

“I’ve always liked teaching. Last summer I did classes at Penland, Anderson Ranch and Berea College, and each of those classes were amazing. They were just so fantastic. It’s great to work with a bunch of people who were so excited and want to learn,” he says.

“The way I teach, I give [students] a lot of responsibility to come up with exactly what it is they want to do. I don’t teach where everybody is making the same thing. I want the students to have some input in what they’re making, plus they get to see different theories in what’s being taught.”

For more, visit michaelpuryear.com and furnsoc.org.  

This article was originally published in the May 2023 issue.