News & Views: Issue 107

Designing Women

What a pleasant surprise it was to see not just one but two projects by female woodworkers in the April/May issue! Both projects are beautiful (as most that you print are), but in the traditionally male-dominated field of woodworking, it’s inspiring to see more women engaged in the craft, and to see the magazine appreciate and highlight their talents. Thank you for including these projects and making women feel included and welcomed in the workshop and your pages.

—Karen Salvatore, Moline, IL

Turning Hollywood

In preparation for an upcoming role, actress Jennifer Garner recently took to the lathe under the watchful eye of furniture-maker Aaron Hauser. Garner, who will play a woodturner in the small-screen adaptation of New York Times bestseller The Last Thing He Told Me, posted a video on her social media showing the actress turning a bowl she ultimately gave to her friend and the show’s producer, Reese Witherspoon. The limited series will stream on the AppleTV+ platform.

Buy the book

Cedar Lane Press recently released Building Outdoor Furniture, a compendium of outdoor projects from the pages of Woodcraft Magazine. The collection includes detailed plans and photos to guide woodworkers of all skill levels in building outdoor furniture such as benches, tables, and Adirondack chairs. The book is available from Cedar Lane Press and Woodcraft, and retails for $27.95.

New school

Paul Sacaridiz, who served as the Executive Director of the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine, has been appointed Director of Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. An accomplished sculptor and ceramicist, Sacaridiz’s career includes 25 years experience in art making, teaching, administration, and higher education and nonprofit leadership. In more than six years at Haystack, Sacaridiz grew the school’s endowment and annual fund, and added 50 new fellowships. Sacaridiz’s tenure at Cranbrook begins this May. He takes over for COO Rod Spearin, who served as Interim Director of the Academy since Susan R. Ewing retired from the position in July 2021.

Lost and found

Author and publisher Christopher Schwarz announced that Lost Art Press has hired Megan Fitzpatrick as the book publisher’s new editor. The hiring makes Fitzpatrick Lost Art’s first full-time employee. With a catalogue of more than 50 titles, Lost Art Press ships more than 60,000 books a year, in addition to tools and apparel. Schwarz and Fitzpatrick worked together previously at Popular Woodworking.

Loss to turning world

Renowned Canadian turner Stephen Hogbin passed away in January at the age of 79. Born in England, Hogbin studied woodworking at Rycotewood College and industrial design at Royal College of Art before moving to Canada in 1968 to teach at Sheridan College School of Design. Hogbin’s award-winning and influential woodturnings feature cut-apart, re-assembled, and hand-carved elements.

Back to blog Back to issue