Resume for Jonathan Benson

JONATHAN BENSON

2225 South 7th Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 285-9191

jon@bensonfurniture.com
www.bensonfurniture.com

EDUCATION

Rhode Island School of Design, M.F.A. (Furniture Design),1986.
Iowa State University, B.A. (Art and Design), 1984.

AWARDS

Custom Woodworking Business Magazine National Design Portfolio Awards: Honorable Mention, Residential Furniture, 2003.

Niche Awards Finalist: Rosen Group Publishing, Baltimore, MD, 2002.

Niche Awards Finalist: Rosen Group Publishing, Baltimore, MD, 2001.

Northern New Mexico Woodworkers’ Guild: (Award, Best Art Appeal) Annual Show, Santa Fe, NM, 1991.

Iowa Arts: (Juried, First Award, Crafts) Memorial Union, Ames, IA, 1984.

Art and Design Annual: (Merit Award) Iowa State University College of Design, Ames Iowa, 1984.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Jonathan Benson: 25 Years of Furniture Design: Cage Gallery, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 2002.

Furniture and Sculptural Art by Jonathan Benson: Franklin Parrasch Gallery, Washington, D.C., 1986.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2006
Weather or Not: Coady Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM.

2004
2004 Custom Woodworking Business Magazine National Design Portfolio Awards: Honorable Mention, Residential Furniture.

2003
Artistry in Wood, New Mexico 2003: (Juried) Hotel St. Francis, Santa Fe, NM.

Faculty Student Show: Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM.

New Traditions: Shidoni Arts, Santa Fe, NM.

2002
By Design, New Traditions in Contemporary Furniture: Shidoni Arts, Santa Fe, NM.

Niche Awards Finalist: Rosen Group Publishing, Baltimore, MD.

2001
Fifteenth Anniversary Exhibition, Franklin Parrasch Gallery, New York, NY.

Landscapes and Furniture: The Jayne Gallery, Kansas City, MO.

Northern New Mexico Studio Tour Artists Exhibition: (Invitational) The Governor's Gallery, New Mexico State House, Santa Fe NM.

30th Anniversary Exhibition: Shidoni Arts, Santa Fe, NM.

Above and Beyond: Sky Harbor Art Program, Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, AZ.

Niche Awards Finalist: Rosen Group Publishing, Baltimore, MD.

2000
Faculty-Student Show: Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM.

1999
Northern New Mexico Woodworkers' Guild: (Award, Best Art Appeal) Annual Show, Santa Fe, NM.

Mixed Media: Northwest Fine Woodworking, Kirkland, WA.

1997
Crafts National 31: Zoller Gallery, Penn State University, University Park, PA.

1st Annual Juried Regional Exhibition of Fine Furniture: Gallery Americas, Carrboro,NC.

Contemporary Influences: Northwest Fine Woodworking, Seattle, WA.

1996
Annual Turning Show: Sansar Gallery, Washington, DC.

Furniture Insight/Inspiration: (Invitational) Harmony Hall Regional Center, Maryland State Arts Council.

1994
The Furniture Show: Del Ray Arts Center, Alexandria, VA.

1993
Artist's Choice: Merideth Gallery, Baltimore, MD.

1992
Rain Forest Safe Show: (Juried) Northwest Gallery of Fine Woodworking, Seattle, WA.

19 Artists Interpret The Clock: Sansar Gallery, Washington, DC.

1991
The Art of the Useful: (Juried) Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, MA.

Fine and Funky Furniture: (Invitational) Plains Art Museum, Fargo, ND.

1990
Crafted Statements: (Juried) Craft Alliance Gallery, St. Louis, MO.

Lathe-Turned Furniture: Ten Arrow Gallery, Cambridge, MA.

1989
10 Contemporary Artists Interpreting Craftsmanship Through Furniture: Couturier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.

The Art of the Craft I &II: Joanne Lyon Gallery, Aspen, CO.

1988
International Turned Objects: (Juried) Port of History Museum, Philadelpia, PA.

Materials and Techniques: Art and Architectural Design, Baltimore, MD.

Iowa State 88: Dept. of Art & Design Faculty Show, Blanden Gallery, Fort Dodge, IA.

1987
New Visions: Gallery at Workbench, New York, NY.

Contemporary American Furniture: Joanne Lyon Gallery, Aspen, CO

1986
Spirit of the Wood ... Command of Line: Franklin Parrasch Gallery, Washington, DC.

Diverse Directions: Taunton Press, Newtown, CT.

MFA Exhibition: Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI.

1985
RISD Work: Elements Gallery, Greenwich, CT.

Winter Session Exhibition Series: Woods Gerry Gallery, Providence, RI.

Woodworks: Woods Gerry Gallery, Providence, RI.

1984
Iowa Arts: (Juried, First Award, Crafts) Memorial Union, Ames, IA.

1983
Iowa College Salon: (Juried) Brunnier Gallery and Museum, Ames, IA.

Art and Design Annual: (Juried) Design Center, Ames, IA.

1982
Iowa Crafts: (Juried) MacNider Museum, Mason City, IA.

1979
Iowa Designer Crafts Exhibition: Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA.

1977
Clay and Paper Show: (Juried) Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA.

1975
All Iowa Fair: (First Award, Student Division) Davenport, IA.

SELECTED COMMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS

Walter Reed Army Hospital, Arlington, VA

Altar for the Chapel of the Virgin Mary, Bilek, Czech Republic

Hal and Babette Negbauer, New York, NY

Susan Annett, Los Angeles, CA

Charles Oswald, Aspen, CO

Gayla and Jim Von Ehr, Richardson, TX

Judith Graves, Newport Beach, CA

William Wise, Bonita Beach, FL

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Owner, Jonathan Benson Furniture, 1992-present

Owner, Blue Sky Café, 2001-2003

Designed and built a house and studio in Santa Fe, NM, 1999-2000

Restored Homes in Geneva, NY and Alexandria, VA, 1992-1999

Production Wood Turner (Part-time 1987-present

Restoration Carpenter, Dixon Co. Foster, RI, 1986-1987

Cabinet Maker, Zylo Designs, Providence, RI, 1985-1986

Welder/Metal Fabricator, Allen Machine, Ames, IA, 1977-1982

Furniture Maker, Hills Furniture, Santa Fe, NM, 1976-1977

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Founding member, Northern New Mexico Woodworker's Educational Alliance, 1999-present

Committee member, website team, The Furniture Society, 1998-2000

Member, Tri-Area Association for Economic Development, Santa Fe, NM

Member, American Crafts Council

Board of Directors, Iowa Designer Crafts Association, 1987-1989