This week was all about stepping outside the studio and immersing ourselves in spaces that hold history, craft, and stories. It was a week full of visits, each place offering a different kind of inspiration—peaceful, curious, overwhelming, and joyful all at once.
We started with a visit to the legendary Nakashima Woodworkers in New Hope, PA. For those unfamiliar, George Nakashima was a master woodworker and one of the leading figures in the American craft movement—known for his philosophy of working with the natural shape of the wood rather than against it. His daughter, Mira Nakashima, gave us an introduction to his work, sharing not just the story behind the furniture, but also the architecture of the buildings—each space as intentional and thoughtful as the pieces inside it. It was peaceful, stunning, and deeply grounding. Surrounded by trees and craftsmanship, it felt like a living sanctuary for wood.
👉 Watch this short video about Nakashima’s legacy
After that, we headed to the Mercer Museum, where we were met with walls (and ceilings!) full of historic tools. It was fascinating to see so many early examples of making, collecting, and preserving—each tool a snapshot of someone’s labor, time, and skill.
Back at NextFab, some of the residents took advantage of the opportunity to enroll in classes offered through the space. Nefimi, Allen, and Arden all took a woodturning class, diving into the world of lathes, chisels, and spinning forms. It’s one of the great aspects of this program—being able to expand our skills while developing our own projects.
Later in the week, we were welcomed into the home of Fleur Bresler, a passionate collector of wood art. Her collection spans decades, and hearing her talk about the stories behind the pieces—from the first work she ever acquired to some of the most valuable ones—was truly special.
We then made our way to Glenstone Museum and stayed overnight in D.C. The next day was a museum marathon—each of us chose a different stop along the National Mall. Some went to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, others to the Botanic Garden, the National Gallery of Art, or the Museum of the American Indian. One thing I really appreciated was how walkable everything was—so many world-class museums, all within reach.
After a long and inspiring week, we made our way back to Philadelphia—tired, but full of new ideas and perspectives.
