2025 Chairs

Water over the bridge

TJ Jahnke & Andy Bonnes

Created by TJ Jahnke and Andy Bonnes, long time chair designers, this piece embraces the beauty of nature with a live-edge wood and resin seat, crafted with minimal cuts to preserve an organic form. The steel base, while strong and sturdy, gives the illusion of impossible balance. The wood was harvested from a tree at Andy’s home, making this chair a true fusion of natural elements and expert craftsmanship.

Beep Beep, Have a SeaT

Kelly & Bella Brevik

This special creation marks the 2nd annual Brevik Daddy/Daughter Chair Affair build, with 3-year-old Bella proudly assisting—handing tools and pressing the button for the first lighting of the headlights! Crafted from rough-sawn oak and authentic 1950s Ford truck parts—including a bumper, running boards, and headlights—this chair is a stunning fusion of history and craftsmanship.

Sourcing the perfect materials was no small task—requiring travel across four towns in SE Minnesota to find parts that fit together seamlessly. The result? A modern yet timeless classic, built with heart and heritage.

Sponsored by Altra Federal Credit Union

 

Saving Humankind

Diane O’Brien

Second Time Around and Eureka Hotel Apartments

Designed by Diane O’Brien, Saving Humankind is a striking stool that serves as a visual reminder of our planet’s urgent cry. Diane describes the pieces as a reminder that “our planet is crying. She won’t be able to sustain us much longer. We must lean in, look close and look to the Cosmos.” The stool features a black finish with beautiful gold orbs on the backrest, evoking the imagery of distant planets.

Longfellows

Minard Peterson

A pair of benches with a story. Created by Minard and MaryAnne Peterson, those cherry and maple benches are inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem Union, written in the uncertain years before the Civil War. Early drafts of the poem carried a tragic ending, but the final version is one of hope. Some of Longfellow’s words are carved into these pieces, prompting reflection: Which ending will history write for us?
These beautifully crafted benches will look great together, or set individually.

 

Barn Fire Bench

Eric Pohl

Wounded Woodcraft

Crafter by Wounded WoodCraft, this one-of-a-kind bench tells a story of resilience and renewal. Made from 100+ year-old Minnesota barn wood, retired fire hoses from a rural fire department, and repurposed fire extinguishers, this piece honors the past while embracing a new future. Finished with a satin polycrylic coat to enhance its natural beauty and durability, this bench is ready for its next chapter, serving as a stunning and functional piece.

Tell City Modern Rocker

Maggie Panetta & Molly Altoff

Treedom & Pop Art’s Theater

Artists Maggie Panetta & Molly Altoff have given new life to this 1966 Tell City Chair Company rocking bench, carefully refinishing and painting it in a beautiful cornflower blue. The seat features a hand-painted watercolor design beneath dark woven lines on the original micro-suede, blending classic craftsmanship with modern artistry.

Crafted using acrylic fabric mediums and inks, this piece is both a tribute to the past and a bold step into the present.

 

Final Act

Dana Hlebichuk

Introducing the heartwarming duo of creativity and family bonding – our Sota Clothing Stools! Partnered with Sota Clothing Company and crafted by a dynamic father-daughter team, these charming stools boast a wooden top exuding warmth and character, supported by adjustable metal legs for versatility. What makes these stools truly special is the pride infused into every inch by the 2-year-old daughter, who joyfully watched and helped sand this creation.

 

2024 Chairs

2023 Chairs