About
Open Studios are resuming on Fridays, with a few changes:
- A professional woodworker will be in the shop to offer advice. This month, it will be Hugh Montgomery, owner of Hugh Montgomery Woodworking LLC, a Bainbridge Island business that focuses on custom cabinetry and furniture.
- Offered only on the first Friday of each month, at least for now.
- Open only to members.
- Hours are 9 am to 4 pm, but no pro from noon to 1 pm.
During this test period, which will run from November into February, private donors are funding the pay for the professionals. We expect that past the trial period, there will be a fee to cover the costs. And, depending on demand and safety monitor availability, we may expand to offer this on multiple Fridays each month.
Members are welcome to ask the pro for suggestions about design, joinery, finishes or other details. This isn't a class with an agenda driven by an instructor, but rather an opportunity for woodworkers to ask questions and get advice from someone with years of professional experience. The pro will not be teaching how to operate the tools.
As with all Open Studio sessions, a safety monitor will be on duty and will be responsible for safety. You will be able to work on projects of your own choosing.
Montgomery advised the BARN Woodworking Studio while volunteers were building cabinets for our building and has worked as the instructional technician for the University of Washington’s School of Art woodshop. He has also co-taught woodworking classes at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockland, Maine. His furniture is frequently featured in exhibits at the Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery. To see more of his work,besides visiting his website, you can follow him on Instagram @hmwoodworking.
The Lamboley kitchen, with cabinets that Montgomery custom veneered in quilted makore and wenge.
The 30th Anniversary bed, named for a show at a gallery. Montgomery
created the sunburst veneer from khaya, also known as African mahogany.
Details for this Open Studio session:
- BARN is practicing safety measures for the health and well-being of all participants, in accordance with state and CDC guidelines. BARN safety policies are here.
- Participation is free to members. The regular qualifications apply: You must have taken Orientation to the Woodshop and the appropriate safety checkout classes before you use specific tools. Woodshop Tool Safety Checkout 1 qualifies you for the jointers, planers, table saws, chop saw and drill presses. Woodshop Tool Safety Checkout 2 covers the band saws, routers and router tables, scroll saws and three stationary sanding machines: edge, drum and spindle. Check the Woodworking and Small Boatbuilding Studio calendar for class dates.
- Protective eye wear that complies with ANSI Standard Z87 or the equivalent European Union Standard EN 166 is required at all times in the main shop and when using sharpening equipment in the bench room. Avoid loose clothing and wear closed-toe shoes. Noisy equipment may warrant wearing hearing protection.
