Resume
Awards
Juror’s Award, First Place 3D for “Ballet Table”.
Southworks Juried National Exhibition, 2024. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville GA.
September 27-November 1, 2024.
Ridley M, Glover Excellence in Wood Artistry Award for Visible Works.
49th Juried Exhibition
Lyndon House Arts Center, Athens, GA
March 12-May 4, 2024
Featured Member of the Furniture Society, August 16, 2021-August 22, 2021.
Southworks Juried National Exhibition, 2021. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF),Watkinsville GA. April16th-May28th, 2021.
Best of Show Award for “Homage for Chagall”.
The Chair Show: A Juried Art Exhibition. Madison-Morgan Cultural Center. Madison GA. February 7- June 2, 2020.
Juror’s Choice Award for “S-Chair”.
20th Master Woodworkers Show. Juried show sponsored by The East Tennessee Woodworkers Guild and The Arts and Culture Alliance, Knoxville TN Nov. 1-3, 2019.
People’s Choice Award for “Helix Table”.
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.
Southworks 2009 Art Exhibition. 14th Annual Juried Show, Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF),Watkinsville GA. April 3 – May 9, 2008
First Merit 3-D Award for S-Chair.
Fine Woodworking, Nov./Dec 2009, #208, P. 14.
Best Tip Award for “Sliding Bench Jack Holds Boards on Edge at Any Height.”
32cd Juried Exhibition, Lyndon House Art Center, Athens, GA. February 18- May 12, 2007
S-3 in a Circle, 3-D Award
In the Media
Studio Furniture: A Five-Piece Adventure. In Dale L. Couch (Ed), Georgia in Our Time: Modern Design and Contemporary Lens. Georgia Museum of Art, 2024. Pp 119-139.Helix Table. Fine Woodworking. Dec., 2023, # 306. P. 70.
The Helix Table: A piece with multiple personalities - FineWoodworking . A Fine Woodworking magazine blog. Oct. 5, 2023
Kumiko Music Stand. Fine Woodworking, February 2023, No. 301. P. 69.
Remembering a Tree. Abraham Tesser. Fine Woodworking Blog. January 21, 2022. Remembering a tree - FineWoodworking
Angela’s Table. Fine Woodworking,January/February, 2021. P. 71.
Chairman of the Board. Chapter in J. Bernstein. Late Boomers: Inspiring Stories about People Who’ve Done Life Changing Things Later in Life. 2020. Pp 66-71.
A Stylish Stool: Quick Turn Adds Pizzazz. Abraham Tesser. American Woodturner, October, 2019. Vol 34, no. 5, 26-30.
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. (click HERE).
Local Media coverage of Wood Works: A Regional Exhibition:
Three new shows open at OCAF. Barbette Houser. Flagpole. January 18, 2017. (Click HERE.)
Romancing the Wood. Theresa Rice. Boom Magazine, January/February, 2017. (Click HERE.)
Atlanta artists to speak on transforming wood into art at OCAF talk. Wayne Ford. Online Athens/Athens Banner Herald. January 25, 2017. (Click HERE.)
Athens furniture maker pulls in wood artists for OCAF exhibit. Wayne Ford. Online Athens/Athens Banner Herald, January 18, 2017. (Click HERE,)
Past traditions inspire a new generation. Margot Ecke. Oconee The Magazine, Winter 2017, p. 64. (Click HERE.)
Interview of Alf Sharp and Abraham Tesser conducted by Michael Cardin. WUGA radio (NPR affiliate), January 19, 2017.. (Click HERE to listen.)
An off-the-wall idea for making more space. Woodshop News, Dec. 2016, vol. XXXI, No. 1. Pp. 50-51. (Click HERE.)
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.
‘A-ha’ moments: Abraham Tesser builds furniture via eureka (with video). OnlineAthens http://onlineathens.com/slideshow/2013-11-23/ha-moments-abraham-tesser-builds-furniture-eureka#slide-1 . Posted by Andre Gallant, November 24, 2013.
OLLIs in Lyndon House Exhibition. The OLLI Times. April 2013, Vol. 10, # 5. Pp 4-7.
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.)
Occasional Table, Pool Cue Stand, S-Chair, Jewish Star Table in Skinner, T. (Ed.) Studio Furniture: Today's Leading Woodworkers. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2009. Pp 212-215.
Nature on his side. Melissa Link. Athens Magazine Vol. 20, #3, Pp. 58, 59, 61. July-August, 2008.
Sculpted Chair 2. The Oconee Leader, vol. 3, # 21, p. 1, May 22, 2008.
Tesser cue stand. Inside Pool Magazine. Vol. VIII, #4, p. 32, 2008.
That’s one stand-up cue stand. Pool and Billiards Magazine. Vol. 26 (4), p. 38. April, 2008.
The S-Chair. Furniture Matters: A Periodic Forum of the Furniture Society, Summer 2007, p. 8.
Sculpted Chair 1. Flagpole, Vol 17. , #16, April 23, 2
Shows
Curator
Lyndon House Art Center
Athens GA. Aug. 28-Nov. 18, 2021.
Wood Works: A Regional Exhibition.
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF),
Watkinsville GA. Jan. 20-Feb. 17, 2017.
Exhibitor
Southworks National Juried Exhibition.
Ballet Table
Kumiko Table
Harlequin Table
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville GA.
September 27-November 1, 2024.
49th Juried Exhibition.
Kumiko Table
Ballerina Table
Visible Works
Lyndon House Art Center
Athens, GA.
March 12-May 4, 2024
Maquettes. One person exhibit featuring small models, maquettes, used in designing furniture.
Lyndon House Art Center
Athens GA
Oct.10, 2023-March 1, 2024.
48th Juried Exhibition.
Kumiko Music Stand
Lyndon House Art Center
Athens, GA.
March 3-May 21, 2023.
47thJuried Exhibition.
Homage to Chagall
Lyndon House Art Center
Athens, GA
March 3-May 21, 2022.
Callenwolde Fine Art Center’s 2022 Juried Exhibition,
Homage to Chagall.
Atlanta, Georgia, Feb. 10-March 13, 2022.
Lyndon House Art Center
Athens GA. Aug. 28-Nov. 18, 2021.
Wharton Esherick Museum’s 27th annual juried exhibition. On line exhibit. May 14- Sept. 12, 2021.
Southworks, Juried Art Exhibition, 2021. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville, GA April 16 – May 28.
Southworks, Juried Art Exhibition, 2020. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville, GA April 17 – May 29.
45th Juried Exhibition.
Lyndon House Art Center
Athens, GA
March 5-May 2, 2020
The Chair Show: A Juried Arts Exhibition. Madison-Morgan Cultural Center Galleries. Madison GA. Feb. 7-June 1, 2020.
20th Master Woodworkers Show. Juried show sponsored by The East Tennessee Woodworkers Guild and The Arts and Culture Alliance, Knoxville TN Nov. 1-3, 2019.
Promise of the Porch: Fall Fete
Guest Artist. Material Culture and Arts Foundation. Bogart Ga. Oct. 3, 2019.
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
Southworks 2009 Art Exhibition
14th Annual Juried Show, Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF),Watkinsville GA.
April 3 – May 9.
(S-Chair, First Merit 3-D Award, $500.)
Congregation Children of Israel, May 2-3, 2009, Athens GA.
Lyndon House Art Center
34th Juried Exhibition
Athens, GA
Feb. 22-May 9, 2009.
Full House (invitational show), at the Lyndon House, Athens Ga, Aug 10, November 8 2008.
Memories, Juried show. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, GA. May 29-Aug. 10, 2008.
Southworks 2008 Art Exhibition , Juried show, Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF),Watkinsville GA, May 2-31, 2008.
Arts and Cultural Alliance,
14th Master Woodworkers
Show, (Juried Exhibition),
Knoxville, TN. Nov.2-
Nov.20, 2007.
Shelburne Art Center
Student/Instructor Show
Oct 3- Nov. 10, 2007
Shelburne, VT
Lyndon House Art Center
32cd Juried Exhibition
Athens, GA
February 18- May 12, 2007
(S3 in a Circle, One of the award winning pieces in the show.)
Lyndon House Art Center
30th Juried Exhibition
Athens, GA
February 13-April 23, 2005
Congregation Children of Israel
Athens, GA
November 11-12, 2005
Lyndon House Art Center
29th Juried Exhibition
Athens, GA
February 15-April 17, 2004
Lyndon House Art Center
28th Juried Exhibition
Athens, GA
March 23-April 26, 2003
Congregation Children of Israel
Athens, GA
Nov. 14 – 17, 2001
Teaching
What is a Nice Jewish Boy Doing in the Woodshop? Five Answers and a Midrash. Jewish Woodworkers of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA. May 4, 2025.
One Piece at a Time: Building a Jewish Legacy. Congregation Children of Israel, Athens GA. January 25, 2025.
Maquettes. Artist talk, Lyndon House Art Center, Athens GA. Feb, 8 2024,
Woodworking: A Five-Piece Adventure. Athens Area Woodworkers Guild. Athens GA., December 2, 2023.
Creating a Legacy: One Piece at a Time. Athens Torch Cub. Athens, GA. April 27, 2023
Studio Furniture: An Odyssey. The 11th Henry D. Green Symposium of the Decorative Arts. Georgia in our time: Modern Design and Contemporary Lens. Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Athens GA. August 5, 2022.
The Japanese Art of Kumiko. Participated in
Cultural Arts Night at Oconee County Elementary School. Watkinsville, GA, Feb. 24, 2022.
Kumiko Demonstration. Athens Area Woodworkers Guild. Athens GA. November 6, 2021.
Curator’s Talk. Willow Oak Exhibition. Lyndon House Arts Center, Athens GA August 28, 2021.
Getting to Chagall. Artist Talk. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), Watkinsville, GA. May 19, 2021.
Studio Furniture Tour with Abraham Tesser. Osher Life Long Learning Institute (OLLI), University of Georgia, Athens GA Feb. 8, 2020.
On the Road to Chagall. Artist talk. Promise of the Porch: Fall Fete. Material Culture and Arts Foundation. Bogart Ga. Oct. 3, 2019.
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 :
Osher Life Long Learning Institue (OLLI), Jan. 26, 2017
Talmadge Terrace Seniors Group, Feb 7, 2017.
University of North Georgia, Art Appreciation class. Feb. 2, 2017.
University of Georgia Interior Design Graduate Students, Feb. 14, 2017
Athens Newcomers Group, Feb. 14, 2014
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.
Studio Furniture: A Maker’s Perspective. Guest Lecture, Furniture Design (ARID 3340), University of Georgia, Athens, GA. April 5, 2012.
Class. Osher Lifelong Learning OInstitue (OLLI), University of Georgia, October 17, 2011.
Sculpted Joints II: The Joinery of Sam Maloof. Athens
Area Woodworkers, Athens GA September 10, 2001.
Chairs: A woodworker’s perspective. Lecture. Athens Area Woodworkers. Lyndon House Art Center, Athens GA. Feb 5, 2011.
Studio Furniture: A maker’s perspective. Guest Lecture, Furniture Design (ARID 3340), University of Georgia, Athens, GA. Oct. 19, 2010.
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The Art of Veneer: Decorating Wood with Wood. Class. Osher Lifelong Learning OInstitue (OLLI), University of Georgia, Athens GA. Oct. 11, 2010.
Studio Furniture: A maker’s perspective. Guest Lecture, Furniture Design (ARID 3340), University of Georgia, Athens, GA. April 1, 2010.
Appreciating Fine Woodworking. Class. Learning in Retirement. University of Georgia, Athens, GA. December 1, 2009.
Turning but not unwinding: A pool cue stand. Classic City Woodturners, Athens GA. Oct. 26, 2009.
Studio Furniture. Guest Lecture. Furniture Design (ARID 3340), University of Georgia, Athens, GA. April 20, 2009.
Sculpting with a Table Saw. Athens Area Woodworking Group. Athens, GA. April 4, 2009.
Joining Sculpted Parts Athens Area Woodworking Group , Athens, GA. September 6, 2008.
Furniture Design. Athens Area Woodworking Club. Athens, GA. April 12, 2008.
Studio Furniture: A maker’s perspective. Guest Lecture, Furniture Design (ARID 3340), University of Georgia, Athens, GA March 5, 20008
Fine Woodworking: Appreciation of Construction and Design. Class, Center for Continuing Education, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, March 4, 11, 18, 2008.
Furniture Making with Abe Tesser. Class, Learning in Retirement. Athens GA. Feb. 17, 2008.
Wood in Furniture: A Personal View. Athens Area Woodworking Club. Athens, GA. September 15, 2007
The Art of Crafting Furniture: A Personal View Congregation Children of Israel, Athens GA Feb. 11, 2007
Some Personal Notes on the Art of Crafting Furniture. Torch Club, Athens, GA . March 23, 2006