Andy Glenn’s new book “Backwoods Chairmakers” has been a runaway hit – we’ve about blown through the first press run after only 3-1/2 months.

Recently, Andy had the great idea to gather the chairmakers from his book at Berea College so readers can meet these chairmakers, hear their stories, see their chairs and watch demonstrations of how they work.

We think it’s a great idea, so we've worked with Berea College to hold the event on Sunday, June 2, at the college’s campus in Berea, Kentucky. Tickets are $33 (limit 4 per purchase), and attendance is capped at 200 people.

The all-day event (9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. EDT) will feature 13 Appalachian chairmakers from Andy’s book. We’ve asked each demonstrator to bring some of their chairs so you can see the work in person. All the chairs will be assembled in a gallery for you to enjoy. We’ll also have four other “stages” going all day for you to visit:

• The Storytime Stage: Where chairmakers will share their tales of how they got into the craft and manage to keep their business afloat in a world filled with mass-manufactured goods.
• The Turning Stage: Several of the turners use lathes in their work and will demonstrate how they make parts using this machine
• The Shaping & Assembly Stage: Chairmakers will demonstrate the techniques they use to shape posts & rungs and assemble the chairs.
• The Greenwood Stage: Splitting, hewing and hickory bark demonstrations will take place in this outdoor area.
• Plus Andy will be there to sign books (we'll have some books available, but if you already own a copy, bring it along!).

Please note that this is not a money-making venture. Berea College has donated the space for the event, and the organizers are donating their time and effort. Your ticket price covers only the honorariums for the chairmakers. If you would like to add a small amount to help cover incidental costs, we'd appreciate it!

The chair pictured at the top of this page is by Terry Ratliff, of Floyd County, Ky.

Places nearby Berea (or on the way) that woodworkers and their families would love:

The Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea
Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg
Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington
Museum of Appalachia in Anderson County, Tennessee
Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate in Lexington
Many stops along the Bourbon Trail
Tours of Lexington’s amazing horse farms