Furniture Masters: Artistic Visions – A Pop-Up Exhibition in Boston

By Lynda Simonton

A vacant Newbury Street gallery space will become the short-term home to an exhibit showcasing finely crafted furniture by some of New England most accomplished furniture masters. In an era when so many pieces created for the home are massed produced, this is a chance to view and purchase furniture that reflects the finest of craftsmanship and one-of-a-kind design.

The New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association (NHFMA) is sponsor of the exhibit and they will showcase some of the best examples of furniture making that is happening right now. Ted Blachly, Aurelio Bolognesi, Jon Brooks, Timothy Coleman, John Cameron, Gail Fredell, Tom McLaughlin, Richard Oedel, Jere Osgood, Brian Reid, Jeff Roberts, Brian Sargent, Bill Thomas, A. Thomas Walsh, David Masury, Greg Brown, and Bradley Wolcott will be featured. The exhibit will also display pieces created by some of the students of NHFMA’s educational programs.

The NHFMA’s Studio Based Learning Program is a three year individualized curriculum for aspiring master furniture makers. This mentoring and instructional program is designed to pass knowledge about furniture making from generation to generation. The NHFMA’s Prison Outreach Program allows furniture makers to work with inmates in New Hampshire State Prisons to further their furniture making skills. Inmates not only learn craftsmanship, they learn the joy of creating and the satisfaction of a meaningful job well done.

Here are a few of the pieces that will be in the exhibit.

Vernal Pool By Jon Brooks

Devils Embrace by Greg Brown

Federal Style Inlaid Sideboars by Allen Eason

Here are all the details:

127–129 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Exhibition: August 1–15, 2014, 10a.m. to 7 p.m.
Reception: Thursday, August 7, 6p.m. to 8p.m.

A percentage of all furniture sales will support the NHFMA's educational programs. 100% of the proceeds from book sales, the sale of small pieces, and raffle ticket sales will go directly to educational programs as well.