ROCKPORT — “Current Student Work” opens Friday, April 18, at the Messler Gallery of the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport. The opening reception will be held on Friday, April 25, from 5 - 7 p.m., and the public is encouraged to attend, enjoy refreshments, and meet the makers. The exhibition, which runs through May 28, features furniture and furnishings by students in the school’s flagship Nine-month Comprehensive course. 

“This collection of work by the Nine-month Comprehensive class has the balance of skill, craft, and imaginative design.," said Aled Lewis, the Comprehensive’s lead instructor, in a news release. "These students have pushed the boundaries of traditional furniture making and explored new and exciting ideas in product design. They deserve huge credit for their hard work and dedication as do the team of excellent co-instructors who have helped make this possible. I’m immensely proud of their achievements.”

Executive Director Matt Hoggle adds, “What these students have achieved with the guidance of Aled and his many talented co-instructors is remarkable. The work shows finely crafted, interesting designs that are a delight to see and interact with.” 

Coming from backgrounds in tech, carpentry, education, health care, entrepreneurship, and military service, exhibitors are Eliot Childress from California, Alexandra Daum from Massachusetts, Spencer Dixon from Maine, Rachel Frederick from Pennsylvania, Sayer Houseal from Texas, Audrey Kasinger from Washington, Aidan Layng from Massachusetts, Benjamin Martinelli from Maine, Matthew McDermott from Washington, Jeremiah Peschka from Maine, Wesley Terrell from New Jersey, and Tristan Zak from Maine. 

The Nine-month Comprehensive program is designed for aspiring professional furniture makers and dedicated amateurs who seek in-depth training at the highest standard of excellence. Aled Lewis of Machynlleth, Wales, is joined for different parts of the course by co-instructors with specific expertise in casework, carving, drawing, bending, veneering, marquetry, turning, and chair making, among other skills. Instructors from Maine include Seth Bosdell, Linden Frederick, Joseph Flynn, Mark Juliana, Jim Macdonald, Erica Moody, Philip Morley, Adam Rogers, Osamu Sassa, Libby Schrum, Valdemar Skov, and John Whalley. Other instructors include Bruce Beeken from Vermont, John Cameron from Massachusetts, Owain Harris from New Hampshire, Beth Ireland from Florida, and Jack Mauch from North Carolina. 

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.allport@woodschool.org or visit our website at www.woodschool.org. Messler Gallery hours are 9 am to 5 pm, 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.