For North Bennet Street: A Benefit Exhibition of Studio Furniture

The North Bennet Street School in Boston’s North End, one of the oldest crafts training programs in the country, has announced that Boston’s Gallery NAGA will host the exhibition, “For North Bennet Street: A Benefit Exhibition of Studio Furniture,” featuring handmade furniture from “some of the most prominent studio furniture makers in the United States.”  The exhibition runs from March 5 though March 27, 2010.

“In an unprecedented gesture of financial support by a commercial gallery and its artists, half the purchase price of every exhibition piece sold will be donated to support the school’s crafts training programs….

The exhibition’s 27 objects — seating, tables, chests, cabinets and wall 
pieces — reflect current thinking about the very idea of “furniture” both as functional object and as art form. Some makers have drawn their inspiration from traditional styles and techniques; others bring a modern and, at times, whimsical viewpoint to their work.

A reverence for wood is apparent in the show, as one might expect. But there are the unexpected materials, too – plaster, graphite, polymer resin, limestone, steel and leather.”

Richard Oedel, North Bennet Street School alumnus and CustomMade artisan

Last year, I went to an open house at North Bennet Street School and found the interactions with the students to be fascinating!  We have a few North Bennet Street School graduates on CustomMade, including Richard Oedel of Fort Point Cabinetmakers.  By sheer coincidence, Richard also lives across the street from me (which proves you never know what kind of craftspeople are right in your neighborhood).

In order for well-handcrafted items of all kinds to stay alive, we must support efforts such as this one!  We also must strive to provide an active marketplace for these handcrafted items.

If you have the time and the means, you should go to Gallery NAGA and see some of the amazing pieces there!

Until next week!

-Mike