March 11 – April 12, 2005
An exhibition of fine furniture created by students in the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship’s current Nine-month Comprehensive course opened on Friday, March 11, 2005, at the school’s Messler Gallery.
The designs on display are as diverse as the geographical and professional backgrounds of the thirteen emerging woodworkers who are enrolled in the course. “Visitors to the school are always curious to see student pieces, but mostly see work in progress,” says Senior Administrator, Kate Fletcher, “This show offers a view of some remarkable completed pieces, ranging from cabinets to clocks, traditional tables, and contemporary wall mirrors.”
All participants in this year’s Nine-month Comprehensive, which runs from September to June, have come to Rockport with the common goal of pursuing careers as studio furniture makers. They complete eight projects over the 36-week period. “The Nine-month Comprehensive program provides the hands-on training students need to design and build beautiful, expressive furniture, including an awareness of the business aspects of becoming a successful craftsman,” says school Director, Peter Korn.
Mounting this exhibition is part of the professional development training the students are receiving while in Rockport. They also visit woodworking shops and studios around the state and meet with gallery owners to learn what it takes to run a successful business. “The students are ready for this show,” says lead instructor David Upfill-Brown, who traveled from Tasmania, Australia, where he was Director of the Australian School of Fine Furniture, to spearhead CFC’s Nine-month Comprehensive, “they’re excited to be preparing work for public view – many of them for the first time.”
Exhibiting students include Orion Boshes (Lowell, MA), Andrew Bradford (Bangor ME), Brian DeGeorge (Atlanta, GA), Brother Christopher Fair, OSB (Collegeville, MN), Mike Fink (Bacaville, A), Jess Hagey (Orange City, IA), Blair Hawley (Woodbury, CT), Jason Huber (Fountain, CO), Clark Kellogg (Houston, TX), Dan Parkington (Pompton Lakes, NJ), Fred Stehman (Lancaster, PA), Leslie Webb (Georgetown, TX) and Akiko Yokoyama (Atlanta, GA).
