Furniture maker Brian Brace chosen as Developing Artist for inaugural Naples Masters Art Festival

Brian Brace with chair-in-progress

At every fine arts festival he directs, Boulderbrook Productions CEO Richard Sullivan selects an up-and-coming talent as the festival's Developing Artist in recognition of that young artist's outstanding ability. Mr. Simmons then provides a free booth for the artist to exhibit at the festival. at Vanderbilt. Mr. who crafts indoor furniture a variety of woods d Naples artisan and fine furniture maker Brian Brace has been chosen as the Developing Artist for the inaugural Naples Masters Art Festival coming up March 7-8 at the Collections

Brace will join more tha than 120 professional sional artists from around the country who have b been juried in into the show. "His work i is a piece of a art, and we're

at the Naples Masters Art Festival. His collection includes hardwood sofas and recliners, coffee tables, footstools, mirrors and dining sets.

 

Mr. Brace has been interested in woodworking since he was 13 years old. He moved to Naples in 2001 from Wells, Vt., after completing a 4½-year, 8,000-hour apprenticeship in fine woodworking with master furniture maker William Laberge. He continued working with Mr. Laberge after completing the apprenticeship for two more years, before deciding to strike out on his own. Today, he holds true to the art of fine furniture by designing and building only custom pieces from cherished rough boards.

"Fine furniture should be made with the thought that it will be passed on to future generations," the artist believes. "Each piece I create goes through many steps in order to achieve the standards to be deemed fine furniture… from thoughtfully selecting the finest lumber for its grain flow and color continuity, to applying a hand-rubbed oil finish, everything is taken into consideration to ensure that the finished piece is spectacular," he promises.

All of his pieces are constructed using traditional mortise-and-tendon joinery, which maximizes the strength of the lumber while making the piece pleasing to the eye. He never uses a nail, rather creates his fine furniture in "the old way of doing things" with glues, clamps and pegs. Upon completion, each piece is signed and dated.

Mr. Brace is a member of the United Arts Council of Collier County and the Naples Art Crafters.

Boulderbrook's Mr. Simmons is well-known for spotting new talent. He specializes in smaller art shows, limits the number and quality of artists and is committed to just 12 shows annually.

The Naples Masters Art Festival will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8. There will be a $2 per person suggestion donation at the door to benefit The Harry Chapin Food Bank. Parking is abundant and free.

For more information, contact Boulderbrook Productions at 293-9448 or visit www.boulderbrook.net.