Mark Ragonese

 About My Work

 For over 30 years I have been working towards mastery of furniture making skills and the design of one of a kind furniture and sculpture. It is at once a playful and serious endeavor. I do not produce a large quantity  of  work; rather, each object is designed for the individual client  and it is my intent to make each object unique and meaningful to the time, place and purpose of its creation. 

Since the beginning I have also been  a teacher. I teach  the craft of fine woodworking, furniture design and wood turning to adults in my studio and through craft schools and arts organizations.  I also offer workshops and school residencies in object making, indoor and  outdoor sculpture using branches, saplings, found objects, and many other materials.  I emphasize to my students  that the process is as important as the product, probably more. Together we take an idea, experiment, invent, and play until we bring it to creation.  Residencies have included designing and painting murals, stage sets, sculptural gardens, nature trails,  sapling structures, making prayer flags, storytelling and performance.

I teach the furniture maker's craft in methodical old world ways as they were taught to me by my teachers. I teach design and creativity as verbs rather than nouns. For me, the process of creating and the act of making exercise the whole mind and body. The results are objects of enormous intent and therein lies their value.

Interested in unique and custom work for your home? A school or community residency?  Contact me and we can start the process.

All furniture and sculptures are handmade by me in my studio specifically for each customer.