Open Studio Weekend for Visitors in Vermont! May 23 & 24
“Most Vermont craftspeople work in studios located in or close to their residences. These are places of production and inspiration located in downtowns as well as at the ends of dirt roads. Wherever their locations, they are exciting places to visit because they reflect the dynamic yet organized process that is used to produce the finished work of art.”
You can visit the following members of the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers while you’re out and about. Watch for yellow OpenStudio signs, and find directions and details on the Vermont Craft Council site.
Jason Breen: Studio #46
Jason creates modern furniture from local wood and classic techniques, featuring handcrafted joinery and hand-worked surfaces. He’s inspired by Shaker and Federal lines and builds functional pieces that tend toward these traditions. Often uses lumber from his own trees and sawmill. Commissions welcome.
Note: Open Studio highlights include woodworking demonstrations, discussion and hand-on browsing—bowls, boxes, and furniture. Weigh in on Jason’s “table height” discussion. Have a seat at each table, including the gorgeous breakfast table above, to feel the difference an inch of height can make to the formality, comfort and appeal.
Ray Finan: Studio #63
Ray finds inspiration in mid-century and art deco design. He sources many materials domestically, especially from New England, and is a master of melding sustainably sourced hardwoods with high end veneer. Commissions welcome.
Note: Ray is one of the newest members to join the Guild, juried in at this spring’s meeting! If you get a chance to visit his shop in Arlington during Open Studio weekend, you can also drop by Battenkill Pottery (#64).
Dan Mosheim and Dorset Custom Furniture: Studio #67
Dan’s been making custom studio furniture since 1980, with a vast catalog of work ranging from complex period restorations to arts and crafts designs, from special niche commissions to entire room concepts. Plus a catalog of studio designs. Commissions welcome.
Note: Dan will have all kinds of work, sample materials, and collateral on hand. And his wife Kit will be displaying her artisan jewelry (#68). Kit handcrafts original designs from precious metals and colorful stones. Display of her earrings above.
Bob Gasperetti: Studio #73
Bob’s work is inspired by Shaker, Mission and Arts and Crafts styles. As a craftsman, he’s a complete connoisseur of wood, focusing carefully on selection, stewardship, and grain/color matching. No two pieces are alike. Workshop and full floor showroom on site. Commissions welcome.
Note: An avid supporter and craft community leader, Bob is a co-founder of EPOCH in Manchester VT (#66) and president of the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers. You can see Bob’s work on display at the gallery, along with work by other talented craftsmen in metal, wood, fiber and clay.
David Hurwitz: Studio #8
Dave designs and builds contemporary, museum quality furniture pieces. He experiments with form, color and texture and the intersection of fine art and function. Incorporates local, FSC and responsibly harvested wood. Award winning pieces include mirrors, lamps, side tables, handcrafted and one-of-a-kind cooking utensils. Many collaborative pieces with Vermont artists.
Note: David is exhibiting in his Randolph Studio and you can visit Third Branch Pottery (#9) next door, and check out the community’s newest gallery, Art of Vermont (#4).
