About Abraham Tesser
Personal Statement
Designing and building furniture is very personal. I struggle with every detail of a design. Then, at the workbench, I find it hard to beat the feeling produced by guiding the transformation of a piece of rough lumber into an elegant, smooth part. With luck, the piece will be one that captures the eye and invites the hand to touch.
I am constantly redesigning as I am building. The finished piece is unlikely to be what I originally envisioned but a more or less different piece. And when things go well, when a hand plane produces the perfect shaving, when a beautiful shape emerges on the lathe, when a piece of wood that has just been surfaced shows a figure or character that is better than expected, it is indeed thrilling.
Interacting with a patron with particular needs and preferences often results in designs that otherwise might never have come to mind. When that works it is a joy. Almost nothing pleases me more than learning that others appreciate my work. Each piece is, for a time, my baby and it is difficult for me to let it go. But it is gratifying to know that someone likes it enough to have it in their home or office.
Media
I have written about woodworking and my work has been featured in various media outlets.
A Stylish Stool: Quick Turn Adds Pizzazz. Abraham Tesser. American Woodturner, 2018, in press.
Wood Works: A Regional Exhibition, Abraham Tesser, American Woodturner, August, 2017, Pp. 22-24.
Southeast “Wood Works” Show Debuts. , Fine Woodworking, July/August 2017, No. 262, p. 75.
Wood Works 2017: A New Show Makes a Splash in the Southeast. Elizabeth Healy. A Fine Woodworking Magazine blog.
An off-the-wall idea for making more space. Woodshop News, Dec. 2016, vol. XXXI, No. 1. Pp. 50-51.
Rachel’s Cabinet. In Furniture Society (author), S. Dotson (Ed.), D. Congdon-Martin (Ed.) Rooted: Creating a Sense of Place: Contemporary Studio Furniture. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2015.
Nails, glue and ‘A-ha’ moments. Andre Gallant. Athens Banner-Herald, Sunday, November 24, 2013. Pp E1, E8.
Lamp sheds light on wonders of veneer. The Cutting Edge with Abraham Tesser. Woodshop News. March 2011, Vol. XXV, #4. Pp 28-31.
Craige Table, Hat Tree, Three S-Chairs in Snyder, J. B. (Ed.) Wood Art Today 2. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2010, Pp 209-211.
A Pool Cue Stand. American Woodturner, Feb., 2010, vol. 25, # 1, Pp 52-53.
Sliding Bench Jack Holds Boards on Edge at Any Height. Fine Woodworking, Nov./Dec 2009, #208, P. 14. (Award for Best Tip.)
Click HERE for complete list of media
Awards
Every once in a while something wonderful happens: One's work is singled out for special recognition. It is always a surprise and and always a thrill.
44th Juried Exhibition
Lyndon House Art Center, Athens, GA
March 7- May 3, 2019.
Nancy Lukasiewicz Award for Excellence in Fine Craft
for Ladies Night out by Abraham Tesser and Olena Nebuchadnezzar
19th Master Woodworkers Show.
Juried show sponsored by The East Tennessee Woodworkers Guild and The Arts and Culture Alliance, Knoxville TN Nov. 3-5, 2017.
People’s Choice Award
for “Visible Works” an animated cabinet.
Fine Woodworking, Nov./Dec 2009
Best Tip Award
for “Sliding Bench Jack Holds Boards on Edge at Any Height.” #208, P. 14.
Southworks 2009 Art Exhibition
14th Annual Juried Show, Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF),Watkinsville GA.
April 3 – May 9.
First Merit 3-D Award
for S-Chair.
Lyndon House Art Center
32cd Juried Exhibition
Athens, GA
February 18- May 12, 2007
3-D Award
for “S3 in a Circle”.
Shows
Art and Woodworking Shows remain my favorite way of acquainting people with what I do. Recently I have had the thrill and honor of curating a regional wood art show.
Curator
Wood Works: A Regional Exhibition. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville GA. Jan. 20-Feb. 17, 2017.
Exhibitor
44th Juried Exhibition
Lyndon House Art Center, Athens, GA
March 7- May 3, 2019.
30 Artists interpret Leaves.
Jewish Cultural Center,
Chattanooga TN, Oct. 30-Dec 14, 2018.
19th Master Woodworkers Show. Juried show sponsored by The East Tennessee Woodworkers Guild and The Arts and Culture Alliance, Knoxville TN Nov. 3-5, 2017. People’s Choice Award.
Southworks, Juried Art Exhibition, 2016. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville, GA April 1 – May 6.
Lyndon House Art Center, 38th Juried Exhibition, Athens, GA. March 3- May 7, 2013.
Perspectives: Georgia Pottery Invitational. Invited exhibitor, special wood exhibit. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville, GA Sept. 1-Sept 19, 2012.
Lyndon House Art Center, 37th Juried Exhibition, Athens, GA. Feb. 19-April 21, 2012.
Southworks, Juried Art Exhibition, 2011. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville, GA April 1 – May 7.
Coffee and Culture. One person show. University of Georgia, Gwinnett. Lawrenceville GA. Oct. 27, 2010.
Georgia Small Works Exhibition. Oconee Cultural Arts foundation. (OCAF), Watkinsville, GA. Oct.8-November 12, 2010.
Athens Sculpture Festival. Juried show. Classic Center Cultural Foundation. Athens GA. June 24-26, 2010.
Full House (invitational show), at the Lyndon House, Athens Ga, June 1-Sept. 18, 2010.
Southworks 2010 Art Exhibition
15th Annual Juried Show, Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF),Watkinsville GA.
April 2 – May 8, 2010
Click HERE for complete list of shows.
Teaching
There are few things I enjoy more than talking about woodworking. Here are some recent activities:
A Turning Trick for a Decorative Furniture Leg. Workshop/Demo. Apple Country Woodcrafters. Hendersonville, NC, April 24, 2018.
The eSsence of a Chair: Adding Curves to Your Work. Public lecture. Apple Country Woodcrafters. Hendersonville, NC, April 23, 2018.
Furniture Studio Tour. Tour of Tesser Studio. Osher Life Long Learning (OLLI) class. Athens GA, September 18, 2017.
Make it Move: Mechanisms and Microprocessors. Greenville Wood Worker’s Guild, Greenville S.C. July 10, 2017.
Introduction to Studio Furniture: An Illustrated Talk. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville GA.
Presented to several classes and educational groups visiting Wood Works : A Regional Exhibition. 2017.
Wood Works: The Artists’ Perspective. A Gallery Talk featuring Philip Moulthrop and Sabiha Mujtaba. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville GA. January 28, 2017.
Animating Furniture: A Case Study. Osher Lifelong Learning Institue (OLLI), Luncheon talk, Athens GA. March 15, 2016.
Make it Move: Mechanisms and Microprocessors. Athens Area Woodworkers. Lyndon House Art Center, Athens GA. January 3, 2015.
On the Design and Construction of Furniture: The Rabbi’s Table. Lecture. Athens Area Woodworkers. Lyndon House Art Center, Athens GA. Feb. 1 2014.
On the Design and Construction of Furniture: The Rabbi’s Table. Workshop for Congregation Children of Israel, Athens GA. January, 8, 2014.
The Sawdust Seduction: A Personal Account. Guest presentation. Torch Club, Athens GA. Oct. 24, 2013
Studio Furniture Making. Guest Lecture, Furniture Design (ARID 3340), University of Georgia, Athens, GA. April 9, 2013.
One Piece at a Time: The Art of Studio Furniture. Lecture, University of Georgia Retired Employees Association (UGAREA). Athens GA. Sept. 13, 2012.
How I Build a Rocking Chair. Lecture demonstration. Athens Hadassah. Athens, GA May 2, 2012.
Click HERE for complete teaching list
Memberships
111 Grovewood Road
Asheville, NC 28804
American Association of Woodturners
222 Landmark Center
75 W. Fifth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55102
American Guild of Judaic Artists
Athens Area Woodworking Group
Athens GA
293 Hoyt St.
Lyndon House Arts Center
Athens, GA 30601
Athens Area Arts Council (AAAC), Athens GA
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville GA