Madison Reporter

This semester, students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have a unique opportunity to explore the work of Wharton Esherick, a renowned wood craftsman and artist often regarded as the father of the studio furniture movement. The Chazen Museum of Art is hosting "The Crafted World of Wharton Esherick" exhibition, one of only three museums in the United States to do so. This exhibition allows visitors to view pieces that have never before left Esherick’s home and studio, now known as the Wharton Esherick Museum in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Katie Hudnall, head of UW–Madison’s woodworking and furniture program, expressed her enthusiasm for the exhibition: “It’s a dream!” Hudnall works with both art majors and non-majors who are new to woodworking. She is eager for them to experience the show firsthand. "Woodworking allows you to create in so many different ways," she explained. "It also gives my students a sense of agency, especially those who might not feel like they have any."

Hudnall plans to bring her classes to see the exhibit where they will analyze Esherick's work and its influence on his sculptures, woodblock prints, and furniture. Each student will select a piece for critique, engaging with it deeply over time. "Having a chance to go back and get beyond first impressions is huge," she said.

In addition to visiting the exhibit regularly due to its proximity next door to their wood lab, Hudnall and her students will participate in a hand-carving demonstration at an exhibition celebration on March 19 using materials similar to those used by Esherick.

Sam Northcut, a master of fine arts candidate at UW–Madison, finds inspiration in Esherick's use of hand tools as he concludes his studies. Northcut has previously studied Esherick during undergraduate work in furniture design and is excited about exploring more about his life and methods. “A big part of his practice was about becoming self-sufficient,” they noted.

Northcut collaborated with Hudnall and other students on creating carved wood samples for visitors' tactile engagement at the exhibition. These samples were crafted from various woods such as walnut, pine, cherry—materials favored by Esherick himself.

Local woodcrafters are also engaging with this exhibition through special maker-to-maker tours led by Barret Elward from Bodgery on April 19th (registration required) followed by Steven Ricks from The Joinery leading another tour scheduled for May 17th (registration required).