exhibitions: 2007 Stewart Kummer Gallery, Gualala, CA 2006 Masters and Apprentices of Baulines Craft Guild, Craft and Cultural Arts Gallery, Oakland CA. 2006 Show Us Your Drawers, The Herron Gallery, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN. 2003-2005 Virginia Breier Gallery, San Francisco, CA. 2004 Craft Showcase 5, Museum of craft and folk art, San Francisco CA. 2004 California Design 2004, San Francisco, CA. 2004 Frank Bette Center for the Arts, Alameda, CA. 2004 Alameda Art Center, Alameda, CA 2003 Pritam and Eames Gallery, East Hampton, NY. 2003 Tercera Gallery, Palo Alto, CA. 2002-2003 Virginia Breier Gallery, San Francisco, CA. 2002 Craft Showcase 3, Museum of craft and folk art, San Francisco, CA. 2001 From trash to treasures, YWCA, Oakland, CA. contact: Alison J. McLennan 3120 Chapman St. Oakland, CA 94601 (510) 685-0248 ajmclennan19@hotmail.com statement: In my work I strive to go beyond the utilitarian aspect of furniture, to challenge the obvious and the usual.My work is inspired by my surroundings, the work of other artists, salvaged pieces, and the materials themselves. My design ideas often go beyond the capabilities of wood. I use a wide variety of materials including: wood, metal, plexi-glass, epoxy, fiberglass, Bondo, foam, and paint. I try to experiment with new materials and learn new techniques as much as possible. Most of my smaller pieces are designed part by part. In particular, I find that my work is more successful if it changes as I make it; starting with a loose sketch provides me with the ability to manipulate the design as I see it come to life. Much of this design process was learned through working alongside Garry Bennett; he never does any drawing; he simply gets an idea and starts. Garry has also encouraged me to begin working in series to further develop my ideas. The first pair of sideboards I made, #1 and #2, [2003] show the exploration of geometric shapes and balance. The more recent pair, Laocoon #1, and #2, [2004] show the exploration of curves and three-dimensional form. Building things with my hands has long been my passion. I thrive on the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from assembling materials into a functional piece of art. My enthusiasm for furniture and object design derives from its integration of artistic vision and function, variety of materials, and manipulation of tools. experience: 2001-Present: Apprenticeship with Garry Knox Bennett, Oakland, CA. As my mentor, Garry provides me with the space and tools to fabricate my own furniture and lamps. I also work for Garry part time, assisting him and finishing his pieces. General skills include: woodworking-- power and hand tools, wiring, silver soldering, buffing, hand finishing, lacquering, painting, and turning wood on a lathe. 2001: Berkeley Mills, Berkeley, CA. Apprentice in Furniture making. 1999-Present: Photographer's Assistant, Santa Cruz, CA Employer: Dottie Jakobsen, Jakobsen Photo Arts. 1999-2000: Laboratory Research Assistant I, Berkeley, CA. Employer: Donald Dahlsten, University of California, Berkeley. Summer 1998,1999: Research Assistant, Ithaca, NY. Employer: Barbara Peckarsky, Cornell University. Spring 1998: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Ithaca, NY. Course: Entomology 471, Freshwater Invertebrates, Professor Barbara Peckarsky, Cornell University. workshops: 2004 Participant at Emma Lake Collaboration, Sasketchewan, Canada. 2004 Assistantship at Furniture Society Conference, Savannah, GA. 2004 Hayward State, Hayward, CA. Art 3440: Visual Literacy. 2003 Anderson Ranch, Aspen, CO Attended Bobby Hanssons Tin Can Art workshop. 2003 Assistantship at Furniture Society Conference, Philadelphia, PA. 2002 Assistantship at Furniture Society Conference, Madison, WI. 2001 The Crucible, Berkeley, CA.Introduction to Welding 2000 Berkeley Cooperative Extension, Berkeley, CA. Wood Furniture Making; taught by Denise Rush. education 1999 Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY. B.S. degree in Entomology