Workshop Series

Come to one, two, or all three events!

Part 2

Steam-Bending Exploratory Workshop with Yuri Kobayashi

Unleash your creativity and delve into the captivating world of steam-bending wood in Part 2 of the exclusive workshop series.

Description: Please Note that you are registering for this event only

In this three-day journey into the heart of steam-bending, Yuri will unveil the secrets of wood transformation, guiding you from the initial wood selection and preparation stages to the mesmerizing process of bending and drying. Witness live demonstrations, participate in hands-on bending over specially crafted forms, and discover Yuri's unique and playful approach, influenced by the techniques of masterful wooden boat builders, without using a steam box.

Got a project on hold? Bring it along! Yuri's expertise will help breathe life into your dormant creations as collective creativity and effort intertwine during this transformative 3-day weekend.

Materials will be provided.

Tools, Equipment or Materials needed: PPE (ear, eye and breathing). A list of common tools we will be using will be provided to registrants ahead of the workshop. 

Lunch will not be provided. We'll provide a 45 minute lunch break. Students should pack a lunch or consider several options for grabbing something to eat within walking distance.

About Yuri Kobayashi:

Yuri Kobayashi is a mid-career sculptor and furniture maker based in Rockport, Maine. With deep roots in Japan, she studied architectural design at Musashino Art in Tokyo. Seeking a more hands-on outlet, Yuri enrolled in the woodworking program at Shinrin Takumi Juku in Takayama City. During her two years of learning and four years working as a staff, she received rigorous hands-on training and discovered the boundless possibilities of wood as a creative medium.

Inspired to explore further, Yuri left Japan for San Diego State University, where she earned an M.F.A. in furniture design under the mentorship of Wendy Murayama. With over a decade of teaching experience at the Rhode Island School of Design, Yuri's work has been featured in exhibitions and publications, earning her prestigious residencies.

Currently serving as lead studio fellow at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Yuri continues to share her expertise through informal mentoring. Her work seamlessly blends traditional woodworking techniques with a profound sense of wonder and emotion, manifesting in a diverse range of work from abstract sculptures to functional furniture.

Yuri’s website can be viewed HERE.

Please direct questions to Chip Webster, jdwebster3@gmail.com.

• Please stay home when sick: Members are urged to prioritize their health and the health of others by refraining from attending guild events, workshops, or gatherings when experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, especially those associated with COVID-19.  
• Follow CDC guidelines: If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you are expected to follow the current CDC guidelines.