September 2026 — Matt Shewchuk’s path in woodworking has been shaped by repeated returns to CFC, each one adding focus, skill, and practical momentum. His initial interest in woodworking was inspired by makers such as Jere Osgood, David Haig, Steven Hogbin, Max Brosi, and Satoshi Fujinuma. Their work opened a path into craft that first led Matt to CFC as a Workshop Assistant in the summer of 2008.
Matt returned to CFC to attend several Workshops, both the Turning and Furniture Intensives, as well as the Fellowship program. Each return served a distinct purpose: building technique, making room for experimentation, and testing ideas in conversation with a wider craft community.
His 2026 Fellowship focused on preparing for a demonstration at the AAW Symposium in Raleigh, NC. This opportunity gave Matt time to break down the complex process behind his designs and present it clearly and efficiently for an audience. The experience reinforced a practical lesson: “With enough preparation, anything is possible,” says Matt.
The years between visits to CFC have been wide-ranging. Travel through South America, Australia, and Asia; work outside woodworking, including his current part-time role with a bungee jumping company; and life with a wife and two children have all shaped the pace and scope of his practice. Today, that practice continues in Tokyo through furniture design and repair, and woodturning in his personal workshop.
What remains most compelling for Matt is not simply the finished object, but the pursuit of an idea. Woodworking is a place for testing new techniques, following questions, and finding satisfaction in the experiment itself. Winter 2027 marks another return to CFC as the Assistant for the Turning Intensive, bringing Matt’s accumulated experience back into the classroom.
