Vintage Bread Boxes are Now Chic Furniture at TraillWorks

PRLog (Press Release) – Sep 03, 2009 – “Bread-side Tables” by artist, Steve Butler, are on exhibit now at TraillWorks, 135 Spring Street in Newton. The exhibit opened on September 1st and will continue through September 29th. A meet the artist reception is set to coincide with Newton’s Tour of Art from 5 – 8pm on 2nd Saturday, September 12th.

These quirky pieces of furniture Butler calls “Bread-side Tables” reuse vintage metal breadboxes and ottoman legs of the post war industrial era. Though wood is his primary material, Butler, Department Head of Woodworking at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ has been collecting breadboxes for several years. Related to his interest in the modern movement as a furniture designer, they’ve fueled the artist’s recent interest in “giving new life to an old object or transforming the object into something else, creating a duality in use and purpose.”

Available in all shades of the pastel rainbow and some with chrome or copper facings, Butler has created quite a range of choices to pick from. His collection features the vintage Lincoln Beauty Box breadboxes. Instead of calling them bedside tables, Butler calls them “Bread-side Tables” because of their similarity in height of a contemporary bed.

As a furniture maker, Steve Butler has been creating artwork for over twenty years.  Born in Toronto, Canada, he began his career serving a woodworking apprenticeship in Peterborough, Ontario.  After his apprenticeship he moved back to the Toronto area where he worked in various woodworking studios making furniture for others.  As his passion for art and craft grew he pursued formal training at Sheridan College of Art and Design, majoring in furniture design.  Graduating with honors, Steve then went to Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where he studied education.  Steve is currently the Department Head of the wood studio at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ. He exhibits his work throughout the US and Canada and has been featured in various magazines and publications such as Lark Book’s 500 Chairs and 500 Tables.

Butler’s “Bread-side Tables” have inspired TraillWorks’ owner, Jennie Traill Schaeffer, to paint some of the breadboxes. Known for her vivid paintings of kitchen appliances and wedding cakes, Schaeffer is an expert at painting reflections. From 3 – 4pm, also on Saturday, September 12th, TraillWorks’ artist / owner, Jennie Traill Schaeffer will give a free painting demonstration - Reflecting on Reflections: Painting Shiny Surfaces.

TraillWorks is the studio, gallery, and lesson space of artist, Jennie Traill Schaeffer and is open Monday and Tuesday, 12 – 6pm, Thursday and Friday 12pm – 8pm and Saturday 12am – 5pm, and until 8pm on 2nd Saturdays. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.traillworks.com or call 973-383-1307.


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