Why Make? Podcast

Episode 32 of Why Make? is a Bonus Make! as we continue our conversation with Adam Manley and talk about his 2018 solo exhibition, Ordinary Rendition.

On Episode 31 of Why Make? we are joined by Adam Manley a San Diego, California based maker and educator. We talk with Adam about everything under the hot California sun including his large-scale sculpture and installations, his furniture and functional objects, and teaching San Diego State University as an assistant professor in their Furniture design and woodworking program.

Episode 30 of Why Make? is a Bonus Make! We discuss with Michael Puryear the evolution and creation of his Dan chair, his interpretation of a classic African low chair, which is now a part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.

On Episode 29 of Why Make? we talk with Michael Puryear a consummate New York based furniture maker with an elegant understated aesthetic.

Please join us on one makers journey as we find out what inspires and motivates Michael Puryear.

On Episode 28 of the Why Make? podcast we talk with artist Maggie Sasso, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin based maker producing maritime influenced installation work. Maggie’s conceptual bodies of work examines material culture in relation to our collective past using comedy and levity to navigate through the harsh realities of modern life. Although Maggie has a background in contemporary craft, including woodworking and metal smithing, most of her current work is in fiber… resulting from an a-ha moment she had after raising a hand sewn signal flag over her then home in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Journey with us as we talk with Maggie about childhood plays performed for an audience of trees, studying with her father, maker and educator Paul Sasso, and even her husband, Ben Jones, crash testing speedboats into logs. So pull on your life preserver pants as we meditate on the horizon line and sail through the vast creative ocean of Maggie Sasso!

In Episode 27 of Why Make? we talk with John Nakashima and discuss his new documentary George Nakashima, Woodworker about his uncle George Nakashima We talk with John about making the stunning new documentary, his life long relationship with his uncle George and the 20 year journey that has taken in making the film. So grab a handplane or a chisel, pop your earbuds in and get to work on that air dried slab of walnut you just acquired… and hold on for a Why Make? history lesson!

In this episode we take a look back at the dumpster fire that was 2020 and the way we were able stay connected and talk about some of the wonderful conversations we had. We also give a preview of upcoming episodes in 2021 as well as talk about some Why Make side projects on the drawing board

Episode 25 of Why Make? is a Bonus Make! as we talk with Greenville, SC artist Daniel Marinelli about creating the new landmark sign at Penland School of Crafts. With butterflies in his stomach about creating his largest commission to date, Marinelli goes into detail about the design and fabrication of this incredible sign and the thrill of a job well done! Don’t adjust the kerning on this episodes layout, Daniel has already done it for you… so just sit back, listen and enjoy the latest Bonus Make!

Why graduate school? Episode 23 of Why Make? is a Bonus Make! and we talk with artist and educator Cory Robinson about his decision to go to grad school at San Diego State University in their Furniture Design and Woodworking program and how he chose which school and program to attend. Continuing our conversation from Episode 22 we have an honest discussion about what can reasonably be accomplished in a graduate program and “get schooled” by Cory Robinson. We also talk about many of the amazing alum that have come through the SDSU Furniture program including Mia Hall, Kimberly Winkle, Richard Ford and a former program instructor, Wendy Murayama. Enjoy this exciting Bonus Make!