Hugo Nakashima-Brown is a teaching artist, designer and woodworker with a background in painting and furniture making. He holds a BFA in Painting from Rhode Island School of Design and a degree in cabinet and furniture making from the North Bennet Street School. His multidisciplinary experience spans woodworking, design, curation and production studio management, allowing…
Sheryl Lawrence serves as the Treasurer. When she isn’t crunching the numbers, she enjoys learning new creative skills and exploring all that Austin has to offer. While she isn’t new to the toolshop, she is new to woodworking and is honored to be part of the community at the Austin School of Furniture.
David Johnson’s beginnings in woodworking started early climbing walnut trees, building forts and chicken coops with his father in rural Tulare, CA where he was born in 1968. David graduated from The College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program in 1997 studying under James Krenov. The school emphasized careful work, attention to design, and a high regard for materials. In the 1950’s Krenov…
At the intersection of Chemistry and Craft is where Kansas City-based Kelly Parker feels most at home. She is a designer and maker of contemporary studio furniture and sculpture. After graduating with a degree in Biochemistry she worked in the corporate world for 18 years before taking a rather circuitous route into art. Her chemistry…
Cameron Rison brings 10 years of woodworking experience and established relationships within the Austin woodworking community. Cameron has been involved with the Austin School of Furniture in various capacities since 2021, and recently joined the ASF Board of Directors as an at-large member. Cameron assists with technology requirements and facilities, including website hosting, Discord, and the woodworking club, and also volunteers as a community class instructor.
Melanie Abrantes Designs is a Bay Area-based producer of handcrafted, heirloom objects. Founder Melanie Abrantes believes that in order to create something beautiful, you have to get your hands dirty. She founded her company in 2013 when she realized there was a growing American market for handmade goods. Working with a variety of unique materials, Melanie strives to create products…
Elizabeth is a woodturning and spoon carving instructor who lives in Seattle, WA. She began woodworking in 2015, and some of her first creations included several pieces of furniture in the Arts & Crafts style. She eventually turned to smaller objects and now specializes in bowls, spoons, and boxes.
Tim has over 10 years experience as a woodworker and enjoys building fine furniture (tables, desks, credenzas, boxes, chairs) as well as home improvement projects (cabinets, shelves, mantels, trim, doors, decks, garden furniture) and small gifts/useful household objects (picture frames, trays, cutting boards, knife holders, etc.). Prior to retiring in 2020, he spent over 35 years as a High Tech executive leading services organizations at companies such as Accenture, Dell Technologies, and Oracle. Tim is honored and grateful to serve as the non-profit Austin School of Furniture Board President as well as a Community Class volunteer instructor.
Maria Salmeron is an enthusiast of all things related to creating a beautiful home. Her love for architecture, construction, landscaping, and furniture design fuels her passion for enhancing living spaces. Although new to woodworking, Maria has a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship. With 11 years of experience in residential building, it’s a natural progression for her to delve into the art of woodworking.
Christine Crumpler-Graf serves as the Interim Executive Director of Austin School of Furniture Foundation, bringing a wealth of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit services to the transition of ASF into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Greater Austin community.