See & Meet ‘Backwoods Chairmakers’ in Berea on June 2

Andy Glenn’s new book “Backwoods Chairmakers” has been a runaway hit – we’ve about blown through the first press run after only 3-1/2 months.

Recently, Andy had the great idea to gather the chairmakers from his book at Berea College so readers can meet these chairmakers, hear their stories, see their chairs and watch demonstrations of how they work.

We think it’s a great idea, so we are working with Berea College Student Craft to hold the event on Sunday, June 2, at the college’s campus in Berea, Kentucky. Tickets will be $33, and attendance is capped at 200 people.

The all-day event will feature 13 Appalachian chairmakers from Andy’s book. We’ve asked each demonstrator to bring some of their chairs so you can see the work in person. All the chairs will be assembled in a gallery for you to enjoy. We’ll also have four other “stages” going all day for you to visit.

The Storytime Stage: Where chairmakers will share their tales of how they got into the craft and manage to keep their business afloat in a world filled with mass-manufactured goods.

The Turning Stage: Several of the turners use lathes in their work and will demonstrate how they make parts using this machine.

The Shaping & Assembly Stage: Chairmakers will demonstrate the techniques they use to shape posts & rungs and assemble the chairs.

The Greenwood Stage: Splitting, hewing and hickory bark demonstrations will take place in this outdoor area. 

Plus Andy will be there to sign books.

Ladderback chairs are finally getting their moment in the sun, and I hope you’ll make the drive to Berea this June to attend this remarkable event. There is lots to do and see in Central Kentucky, so it would be easy to make this part of a quick weekend vacation.

Heck, for the ultimate experience, sign up to make a chair with Andy at Pinecroft the week after the event (June 3-8). Or a class with Andy in hickory bark harvesting the day before the event. I cannot believe there are still spots open for these classes.

More details on the event and registration will come later this week.

Please note that this is not a money-making venture. Berea College Student Craft has donated the space for the event. The tickets cover the honorariums for the chairmakers. 

— Christopher Schwarz

Places nearby Berea (or on the way) that woodworkers and their families would love:

The Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea
Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg
Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington
Museum of Appalachia in Anderson County, Tennessee
Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate in Lexington
Many stops along the Bourbon Trail
Tours of Lexington’s amazing horse farms