In Episode 36 Why Make? we talk with furniture designer, sculptor and teacher Ellie Richards who is currently a resident artist at the Penland School of Crafts in the mountains of Western North Carolina. After growing up in Pittsburgh, PA she attended the University of Dayton in Studio Art & Art Education program as an undergrad and Arizona State University in their Sculpture & Wood MFA program. More recently as a Windgate fellow Ellie spent time at San Diego State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in their wood & furniture design programs.

Looking to the tradition of both woodworking and the readymade Ellie creates eclectic assemblage, installation, and objects exploring intersections of labor, leisure, community, and culture. Richards has also traveled extensively to investigate the role play and improvisation have on the artistic process.

We discuss 2019’s Continuous Limit Line in which Ellie creates a fabricated chain made out of found police traffic barriers. Ellie talks about her Totems and a constant habit of deconstructing and reassembling Brooms and brushes of all shapes and sizes.

Navigating this world with honesty, creativity and optimism Ellie believes craft can be a powerful vehicle for sharing culture. So lets take a break from work… its time to play!

Discover more about Ellie and her work at www.ellie-richards.com