Formerly the Ontario Crafts Council, Craft Ontario is a not-for-profit service organization that works to have craft recognized as a valuable part of life. We promote and celebrate professional craft through providing member opportunities, and advocate for craft practice by educating and empowering diverse audiences.
Chris has a background in international policy, disaster recovery and public space design. Returning to his love of making things, he turned his attention to furniture and object design, graduating from the Craft and Design: Furniture program at Sheridan College in 2013.
Chris’ work blends tradition with modern sensibilities, and is marked by a strong connection to material and a demonstrated interest in exploring digital methods of production. High functionality and simplicity of form drive his design process, as does the experience of the end user. Working primarily in solid wood, he also experiments with other materials and produces objects, furniture and cabinetry. Chris seeks to make pieces that will outlive their owners and that have an aesthetic clarity that goes beyond trends.
Fascinated by the intersection of function, aesthetics, and symbolism, he co-founded Toronto's Garrison Creek Bat Co. in 2012. This collaborative experiment allows Chris to work with other designers, artists, and craftspeople, and to play with telling stories through product design. Chris currently works from his shared studio in the Junction Triangle. Working alongside 5 other designers and craftspeople in a highly creative studio environment keeps him continually exposed to new ideas, experienced voices, and collaborative projects.
Salver Side Table
Black Walnut. Hand-turned legs, CNC milled top
Finn Chair
Black Walnut, formed plywood, walnut veneer. CNC milling, pattern routing and vacuum
forming.
Traditional mortise and tenon joinery
Finn Chair Detail
Black Walnut, formed plywood, walnut veneer. CNC milling, pattern routing and vacuum
forming.
Traditional mortise and tenon joinery
BST001
Ash, wool upholstery. Mortise and tenon construction and pattern shaping
Jasper Peg Board
Maple, aluminum, mirrored glass. CNC milled jigs, hand turned pegs
Slash and Burn
Locally sourced ash, cloth bound cord, light fixture, LED lamp, lacquer. The forms are
coopered and then hand-turned,
and are finally burned using a torch and finished with a low VOC lacquer
Entry Table
Walnut. Traditional mortise and tenon construction, epoxy-hardened live edge
Plain Jane baseball bat, with Garrison Creek Bat Co.
Hard Maple. Hand turned and hand finished with clear and coloured lacquers. Logos and
graphics are
digitally produced and applied as a waterslide transfer
Emily’s House Chapel Cabinet
Corian, rift-sawn red oak veneer, multicurve ply, particle core, brass hardware. CNC milled
Corian and bending forms,
vacuum forming, lacquer finish
Emily’s House Chapel Cabinet, detail of baptismal font and lid
Corian, rift-sawn red oak veneer, multicurve ply, particle core, brass hardware. CNC milled
Corian and bending forms,
vacuum forming, lacquer finish
Formerly the Ontario Crafts Council, Craft Ontario is a not-for-profit service organization that works to have craft recognized as a valuable part of life. We promote and celebrate professional craft through providing member opportunities, and advocate for craft practice by educating and empowering diverse audiences.