I was walking in Old City a few weeks ago, and stumbled upon the Center for Art in Wood. It has one of the most extensive institutional collections of contemporary art in wood, and a permanent collection of over 1,200 turned objects, sculpture, studio furniture, works on paper, video, and more. It was established as a nonprofit in 1986 by brothers Albert and Alan LeCoff and operated as the Wood Turning Center until 2011.
The exhibit I saw (and the one still on view) is Tom Loeser: Please Please Please, which explores unconventional furniture forms and even invites viewers to sit on and interact with the pieces.
It aims to foster an appreciation for art, craft, and design in wood and creates a space for the public to learn, enjoy, and be inspired. I highly recommend you check it out if you’re nearby and it’s even worth a trip if not. Admission is free with in-kind donations accepted.
