After growing up and studying industrial technology in San Francisco, Hickory, NC maker Joel Urruty discovered a passion for furniture and pursued an MFA at the School of American Craftsmen at RIT.

In Episode 9 of Why Make? Robb and Erik have fun talking with Joel about his journey, influences and ultimately eschewing furniture to create figurative sculpture and wall hung assemblages.

With a career spanning close to 40 years and one of the first graduates of the program in production crafts at Haywood Community College, David gives us some practical insight into what it takes to make a career as an independent craftsman.

A revealing and heartfelt conversation with Canton, North Carolina woodworker and maker, Susan Link. After growing up in Brevard, NC and attending the Professional Crafts: Wood program at Haywood Community College in 2004, Susan has made a life for herself designing and building furniture in Western North Carolina.

Susan talks with Erik and Robb about the importance of her community & friends, dedication, good shoes, and the blood, sweat & tears it has taken to follow her earliest childhood dreams of becoming and maintaining a career as a woodworker.

From growing up in rural western North Carolina to living in Costa Rica after high school and then venturing out west to attend the renowned woodworking program at the College of the Redwoods to life in his own shop and finally director of Grovewood Galllery in Asheville , Russell describes a rich and interesting path as a maker.

Notes

Timothy Maddox the creative force behind the hand painted sign company Mighty Fine Signs in Asheville NC talks of his life long interest in hand lettering and signs and his journey exploring the art of the hand painted sign.

Melissa talks about growing up in the Canadian Rockies and moving to western North Carolina as a teenager and not discovering art until her mid 20’s. Graeme grew up in New Zealand and again discovered art later in life. Together they talk about partnering as teachers and collaborators in art and their involvement in the Emma Lake International art collaboration and CollaboratioNZ.

An engaging and wide ranging conversation with Wayne Raab the now retired lead instructor in the program in fine woodworking at Haywood Community College and both Robb and Erik’s instructor during their time in the program. Having this conversation with Wayne was part of the inspiration for Why Make podcast so Robb and Erik could begin to explore their roots as makers and why they make.

Robb and Erik discuss just what they want the Why Make podcast to be about and Erik has the very first Why Make conversation with Robb about what inspires him