ROCKPORT — “Free Verse,” an international survey of contemporary marquetry, will be on display at the Messler Gallery of the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, in Rockport, from January 24 through April 2, 2025. The public is invited to the opening reception Friday, January 31, from 5-7 p.m., and to a gallery talk on Saturday, February 1, from 2-4 p.m., where the exhibitors will discuss their work. 

The exhibition, curated by James Macdonald of Burnham, presents 21 pieces by 22 wood artists from six countries. Marquetry is the art of assembling wood and veneers into decorative patterns or images, and the variety and remarkable craftsmanship on display ranges from stunning cabinets with intricate inlays to luminous wall hangings and pop-art inspired objets d’art. 

“What compels us to concern ourselves with thin fragile slices of wood?” said curator James Macdonald, in a news release. “Sawing, cutting, carefully coaxing our chosen material into the voice of our artistic vision, we participate in this craft called marquetry. 'Free Verse' will be a showing of the work of contemporary marquetry artists - some new, some who have made a career of the artful assemblage of veneers.”

Macdonald’s focus in selecting the exhibitors was to find those looking beyond tradition and using this craft as a means of personal creative expression.

“Be free to push your boundaries,” he encouraged, “show us where you are or where you are heading. Help this be an exhibition not of rules, but of possibilities!” 

International exhibitors include Ryan Andrusky (Alberta, Canada), Susan Bart (Bilbao, Spain), Adrian Ferrazzutti (Ontario, Canada), Isaac Sintim (Accra, Ghana), Anne Lecorguillé (Plévenon-Cap Fréhel, France), and Toby Winteringham (Norfolk, England). Exhibitors from across the U.S. include Shannon Bowser (Brooklyn, NY), Paula Garbarino (Somerville, MA), collaborators Cindy Goldman and Spider Johnson (Austin, TX), Scott Grove (Canandaigua, NY), Sasha Kopf (Hadley, MA), Silas Kopf (Northampton, MA), Patrice Lejeune (Los Angeles, CA), James Macdonald (Burnham, ME), David J. Marks (Santa Rosa, CA), Jack Mauch (Spruce Pine, NC), Brian Reid (Rockland, ME), Paul Schürch (Laupahoehoe, HI), William Tunberg (Venice, CA), Chelsea Van Voorhis (New Orleans, LA), and Greg Zall (1957-2023). 

The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship is a nonprofit, year-round school that offers courses in furniture making and related arts such as carving and woodturning.  

For more information, call 207-594-5611, e-mail victoria@woodschool.org or visit our website at www.woodschool.org. Messler Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Messler Gallery is located on the campus of the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, at the corner of Route 90 and Mill Street in Rockport, Maine.