Reuben Foat grew up in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, and found his passion for furniture design while studying at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His career has been shaped by a wide range of experiences—working as a cabinetmaker in the United Kingdom and New England, a furniture restorer in Milwaukee, and later designing and making furniture in San Diego. He earned his MFA in Art from San Diego State University with an emphasis on furniture design and digital fabrication, a combination that still guides his approach to contemporary craft.
Reuben has taught at prominent craft schools, including the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and Penland School of Crafts, and has lectured at universities nationwide. He is currently an Associate Professor of Woodworking Manufacturing Technologies at Cerritos College. From his Long Beach studio, he creates work that bridges traditional craftsmanship with emerging digital tools and techniques.
