CRAFT / FACTURING: AN EVOLUTION OF MAKERS + ENTREPRENEURSHIP FS2016

Furniture Society Conference, Philadelphia, PA

Craft-facturing addresses a contemporary community of Makers who are socially engaged, collaborative and digitally savvy. New paradigms for making and production, sharing and distribution are emerging that both support and challenge the more traditional role of the craftsperson in our culture. The 2016 FS conference will frame this moment in Philadelphia’s rich environment as a unique and vital site of past and future crafts activity.

Programming at conference aims to offer multiple perspectives. In recent years the programming has blended artist presentations with panel discussions on contemporary topics relevant to the studio furniture community and the conference theme.  Presentations range greatly from technique driven topics to highlighting individual practices, such as historical or contemporary makers important to the studio furniture field and emerging makers presenting their talented approaches to studio design/build practices.

In conjunction with the Furniture Society:

Workshop: Seven at the Center: the 2016 Windgate ITE Fellows Collaboration Laboratory, Thursday, June 23, 10:15AM-5:00PMFellows: Amy Forsyth, Ashley Eriksmoen, Betty Scarpino, Katie Hudnall, Merryll Saylan, Michaela Crie Stone, Nucharin Wangphongsawasd; at UArts, Room J-COS1. The seven Windgate ITE Fellows awarded residencies by The Center for Art in Wood each have a variety of skills and techniques that they employ in their work. They will be sharing these with one another and with visitors to their studio.

Presentation: 1600-2000 Philadelphia Furniture, Thursday, June 23,11:30AM-12:15PM
Speaker: Josh Lane; at CBS Auditorium
From its founding in 1682, Philadelphia has been a center of furniture innovation, particularly chairmaking. This presentation reviews the development of forms and the influence of aesthetic traditions among the city’s multi-various ethnic communities on the development of seating furniture from the 17th century to the mid-19th century.

Panel Discussion: On the Edge of Your Seat: Chairs for the 21st Century discussion, Thursday, June 23, 1:30-2:45 PM
At the Gershman Y Chapel
Panel: Jasper Brinton, Benjamin Colman, Susie Silbert

Old City Gallery Crawl, Thursday, June 23, 6-8:30PM
Participating Galleries: Moderne Gallery, Snyderman-Works Galleries, The Center for Art in Wood*, The Clay Studio, Wexler Gallery
This free event will provide conference attendees with an exclusive look at the Old City Arts District’s offerings from a number of notable galleries and arts organizations. Trolley from UArts to Old City courtesy of Gallery Crawl Sponsor Old City District. All exhibitions are within walking distance. *Book signing also part of Crawl event—artists to be announced  

Furniture Society: Closing Remarks, Party, Dinner & Dance, Saturday, June 25, 7:00-9:30PM
Evening Event at Solmssen Court*
*Book signing also part of Closing event—artists to be announced