Free Verse Exhibit at the Messler Gallery
Two weeks ago, my dad and I drove up to Rockport, Maine, for the opening reception of the Free Verse Exhibit at the Messler Gallery at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, where we both have cabinets on display. It’s the first gallery show that I’ve ever been in, and the collection is absolutely stunning!
You can see photographs of all the pieces in the show here, but seeing them in person was really something else. It’s absolutely worth a trip to see the exhibit for yourself. I’m planning to do some more posts here highlighting the pieces in the show.
Some of the exhibitors at the Free Verse exhibit: Paul Schürch, Sasha Kopf, Patrice Lejeune, Shannon Bowser, David J. Marks, Scott Grove, Susan Bart, Silas Kopf, and James Macdonald (photo thanks to James Macdonald)
Twelve of the artists in the exhibit were able to make it to Maine for at least part of the weekend, from as far away as Spain and Hawaii, and it was such a thrill to get to meet them and swap stories.
Marquetry artist Paul Schürch at the reception (photo thanks to David Marks)
In addition to the opening reception on January 31 (which was packed, even though it was a snowy winter night in Maine), there was an artists’ talk on February 1, at which many of the exhibitors gave short presentations. The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship is going to make a video of the presentations available, and I will link to it here when it’s up.
Artist and exhibit curator James Macdonald with his marquetry guitar (photo thanks to David Marks)
Many thanks to James Macdonald for curating the show and letting me be part of it; Victoria Allport and the rest of the staff at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship for all their work in making the show come together; all the marquetry artists who wowed me with their skill and inventiveness; and my uncle John, my aunt Linda, and my husband Michael for making the trip to Rockport to see the show!
My dad, Silas Kopf, and me in front of the cabinet that he made (photo thanks to David Marks)