2019 Artistry in Wood - Meet the Judges

Our judges this year will be:

Michael Cullen:


Michael Cullen's interest in furniture design evolved from his background in mechanical engineering and love of art. During the past decade, his work has been featured in both trade and design publications and has received numerous awards. His work is shown and collected throughout North America and Europe.

Michael received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Santa Barbara (1983) and worked for several years in machine design before deciding to pursue a career in studio furniture. He chose to study furniture making and design under the direction of David Powell at Leeds Design Workshops (1986-88) in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Upon completion of the program, Michael moved to Boston to work with Jamie Robertson (1988-90) at the well-known Emily Street Workshops.

Presently, Michael divides his time creating furniture, teaching, and writing articles on design and technique.

Scott Clark:


While Scott Clark's interest in art and craft date back to childhood, the development of his woodworking skills started as a young man with a limited budget. He began filling his families need for furniture by constructing pieces from plans published by Popular Mechanics Press and repurposing or modifying garage sale purchases. In 2011, Scott retired after a thirty year career working for a municipal government where among his many responsibilities as Facility Repair Supervisor, he headed a cabinet shop that designed and built custom shelving and furniture for many of the office spaces. During these years, he took up woodturning as a hobby and quickly became interested in the artistic element of the craft. He has attended dozens of classes, seminars, and demonstrations on the subject, and perfected his skill through consistent practice. He began exhibiting and selling his work in 2004, and continues to do so today.

Terry Schmitt

Terry Schmitt has been woodworking and carving for over 30 years. Growing up in a creative family, she was exposed to architecture and remodeling projects from a very early age. She took her first woodshop class in junior high and was hooked.

She studied fine arts at SF State and then began working in the remodeling industry as a carpenter in San Francisco. In 1988 she did an apprenticeship with Debey Zito in furniture making. Within a couple of years she found carving, a perfect place to integrate fine arts and woodworking. Her business partner and future wife began designing pieces with carving on them. Together Zito/Schmitt Design creates museum quality furniture and interiors. Her relief carvings bring elements of nature to the furniture and interiors, creating jewel points. Their public work can be seen at Disney Grand California, and The Alameda West End Library which has a 25 ft carved mural. Terry works as a cabinet maker, finish carpenter as well as carving on furniture and for interiors with Zito/Schmitt Design. Among their most notable commissions are the furniture for the family room in Greene and Greene’s Blacker House, where all the carvings are exclusive designs.

Directions to the Museum of Sonoma County

2019 Calendar