Furniture Makers show returns to its Texas-sized roots with 54 pieces on display at KACC

The Texas Furniture Makers Show opened Wednesday at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center with 54 pieces on display, representing more entries than the exhibition has seen in several years.

The show, which runs through Dec. 12, features work from established and new furniture makers, including pieces that blur the line between functional furniture and fine art.

Lanza Teague of KACC said the increased participation reflects three years of effort to rejuvenate the annual exhibition by working with a committee of furniture makers to improve the show and market it differently.

“We’ve been working hard over the last three years, building a committee of furniture makers to conduct a poll and find out what was wrong and what was right and what we could do better,” Teague said during an appearance on The Lead Live on Wednesday. “We are now marketing the show a different way, which is successfully bringing in new makers and new people into the galleries.”

Among the featured pieces is a multi-use table by Drew Paxton, the city of Kerrville’s community development director, who is entering the show for the first time. The table functions as both a coffee table and dining table. Paxton also contributed smaller accessories, including a pumpkin-shaped dish, bowls and charcuterie boards.

“He worked hard to get done,” Teague said of Paxton’s submissions.

Teague’s personal favorite is a console by Mike Roberts featuring an innovative drawer design. The mid-century modern piece has 24 drawers arranged six across and four down, with a circular cutout between drawers serving as a pull for both upper and lower compartments.

Roberts previously exhibited a “skeletonized chest” at the show, where the frame existed only when drawers were removed. An image of that piece appears on the event’s promotional coaster.

The exhibition includes other notable entries, such as tall chairs and Maloof-inspired café chairs. Teague joked that she worried the tall chairs would damage the gallery’s track lighting when they arrived.

“There are beautiful pieces and a lot of new makers,” she said.

A free public awards reception is scheduled for Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the center, located at 228 Earl Garrett St.

The Kerr Arts and Cultural Center is also hosting its final weekend of Haunted Ghost Tours on Friday and Saturday nights at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The later time slot was added due to high demand.