RALA MASTER ARTISAN
TOM HARRIS - CABINET MAKER
Schoolhouse Gallery
and Cabinet Shops
News from the Cabinet Shop.
Tom and Ben are currently working on a custom Librarian Work Station for the Iroquois High School Library. The desk area is 20 feet long, has both stand-up and sit-down work stations. The pieces are being constructed of Cherry and Birdseye Maple. This is the second major library project to come to our shops.
Tom, Ben and Thomas Pafk just completed working with 255 fifth grade students from the Iroquois School system. Students studied Roycroft History for two weeks at school and then traveled to the Schoolhouse Shops to work on their own projects. We enjoyed working with students, teachers and parents in this Roycroft Immersion Program.
Tom just completed a road trip to Swampscott, MA, where he delivered to two different customers. Tom delivered an Armoire/Entertainment Center to one home and a Shaker style coffee table and end tables to another home. All of these pieces were designed in our shops and were constructed of black cherry.
The Schoolhouse Gallery is located in Old Schoolhouse #7, circa 1850. Directly behind the Schoolhouse is the Cabinet Shop, where Tom and his partner, Ben, produce Arts and Crafts Period reproductions and originals. The Cabinet shop produces both custom work and retail work that is sold through the Gallery. Tom's handiworks include: case work, tables, mirrors, frames, lamps, bookcases, entertainment centers, kitchen and bathroom cabinets and many other Mission and Shaker pieces. The Gallery provides an opportunity for many Roycroft and other artisans to display and sell their work.
Choose from historical period designs or help Tom design a piece truly your own. All of the native eastern woods are available. Choose either single wood designs or a combination of several different woods. All pieces are hand made one at a time using traditional and state of the art methods. Tom has been a Roycroft Master Artisan, as designated by the Roycrofters At-Large Association, since 1981. The Roycroft tradition was started in the late 1800's by Elbert Hubbard. The tradition adopts the work philosophy of Hubbard in that each pieces is "made the very best we can" and reflects the love for the work by the artisan. Satisfied customers from the east to the west coast include: The National Park Service, Hammersmith Collections (as advertised in national periodicals), Roycroft Inn, Grove Park Inn, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy. Tom helps keep the tradition alive today through his work and through his activities in the Roycroft Community.
"THE LOVE YOU LIBERATE IN YOUR WORK IS THE ONLY LOVE YOU KEEP."
Tom Harris
Schoolhouse Gallery and Cabinet Shops
1054 Olean Road
East Aurora, NY 14052
Phone: (716) 655-4080
Fax: 716-655-4080 *51