Artist talk with furniture maker Amanda Yoder set for Nov. 23 at Sumter County Gallery of Art

STAFF REPORT

Sumter County Gallery of Art Curator and Assistant Director Eric Lachance will hold an artist talk with Western North Carolina furniture maker Amanda Yoder from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the gallery, 200 Hasel St.

According to a release from the gallery, Yoder will be talking about "spanning the effects of Hurricane Helene in her region, woodwork and craft, William Morris, and insight on why Yoder believes 'furniture should be compostable.'"

Raised in a family of wood builders, Yoder earned a Bachelor of Fine Art in Musical Theatre from East Carolina University and spent several years in New York City. When COVID-19 hit, she shifted her focus to woodworking, enrolling in the Professional Crafts program at Haywood Community College. Following Haywood, she started Coda Wood Studio, dedicated to creating modern, handcrafted furniture and homewares with an appreciation for traditional craftsmanship and sustainability. Her furniture pieces are noted for their thoughtful balance of modern design and timeless techniques and have been featured at prestigious events such as the International Woodworking Festival and Artfields 2023.

Yoder often uses design to explore the bridge between past and present, incorporating traditional details on modern shapes and bringing the designs to life with practices and materials that honor the wisdom of old.The public is encouraged to attend the artist's talk. Light refreshments will be served.

Yoder's At Home: Reflections on Time and Material is on exhibit through Jan. 10, 2025, at the gallery.