Bill First

Bill is a Chicago-based artist who creates custom-designed and hand-built furniture and accessories.  He prides himself on involving clients as much as possible throughout the design process to make unique pieces unlike anything found in retail establishments.

Education:

  • Millersville University - B.A. in Psychology
  • Columbia College-Chicago - Photography & Darkroom Courses

Media:

Furniture design and fabrication, woodworking, studio photography

Areas of focus:

Mid-century through Modern furniture design and fabrication

Website:

www.woodworkschicago.com

Exhibition highlights:

  • Central Street Arts Walk, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL - 2018
  • "Creative Furnishings 2, A Collection from Chicago Designers + Makers," Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL - 2017-2018
  • Winter Arts + Crafts Expo, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL - 2015-2017
  • The Distinctive Furniture Show, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL - 2012

Other interests and inspirations:

Music and movies of all kinds, digital photography, cooking

Exhibition highlights:

Tor Faegre Memorial Bench Commission, Ryerson Woods, Deerfield, IL - 2010

Bill's teaching style

He emphasizes safety in the workplace first and foremost.  He teaches students the fine art of woodworking, combining techniques and aesthetics of working with wood.

Bill loves EAC because . . .

Over the past two years he has had the pleasure of teaching and working with students with a variety of skills, techniques, and unique projects. Watching them develop as woodworkers and seeing their projects come to fruition is the most rewarding part of teaching at the Evanston Art Center.

Node Highlight
a wooden cabinet with other pieces of art made from art
Class Department