Students take the stage at Messler Gallery

“Current Student Work” was featured from April 13 through May 30 at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship’s Messler Gallery in Rockport, Maine. The annual exhibit showcased furniture and decorative objects created by participants in the school’s nine-month program. For many of the students, this was their first opportunity to see their work in a public setting.

“Exciting, fresh designs such as these can only happen when talented individuals explore a new medium, unburdened by ingrained assumptions about the limitations of material, function and technique,” center director Peter Korn says.

The nine-month program is designed for aspiring professional furniture makers and dedicated amateurs who seek in-depth training. Students complete 11 sequential projects that take them from woodworking fundamentals through the fine points of design and craftsmanship. The lead instructor is Aled Lewis, a furniture maker from the U.K.

Other instructors include Stephen Gleasner (turner); Jim MacDonald (marquetry); Adrian Ferrazzutti, Mason McBrien, Kevin Rodel and Tim Rousseau (furniture makers); Weber Roberts (cabinetmaker); Valdemar Skov (carver); Beth Ireland (woodworker), and Teri Masaschi (finisher).

Exhibitors included Gregory Boll (Ind.), Michael Danchak (Conn.), Ian Kirk (Maine), Ryan Meacham (Pa.), Ted Newman (Mont.), Monica Raymond (N.H.), Alex Roebuck (Ontario), Arnd Seibert (Germany) and Jerry Wilkins (N.C.).

Paradise City spring shows

The Paradise City Arts Festivals are considered one of Massachusetts’ acclaimed fairs of fine and functional art. Show director Linda Post says innovation and diversity of these shows make them appealing to woodworkers because they not only display a wide range of fine furniture, but also feature lighting, sculptures, tapestries, blown glass and other fine art that attracts a broader audience.

Now in its 15th year, Paradise City Marlborough was held March 16-18 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough, Mass. About 175 artists from across the country gathered under one roof to show their best artistry and craftsmanship. The fall show is scheduled for Nov. 16-18.

Now in its 18th year, Paradise City Northampton was held May 26-28 in a new venue at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, Mass. There were about 260 exhibitors. The fall show will take place Oct. 6-8.

Applications for next spring’s shows will be accepted through September.

Contacts

Messler Gallery, 25 Mill St., Rockport, ME 04856.Tel: 207-594-5611. www.woodschool.org

Paradise City Arts Festivals, 30 Industrial Dr. East, Northampton, MA 01060. Tel: 800-511-9725. www.paradisecityarts.com

This article originally appeared in the June 2012 issue.