The Blackstone Valley

The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts

"Celebrating the hand made"

Please allow us to introduce ourselves. Steve Butler, Richard Chiros and Jeff Hollis are three professional woodworkers, artist and educators. We believe that preserving craft is preserving something that is inherent to us all. We all love to make things. We love what craft has done for our lives and we want to share our passion with you. We want too make sure that craft remains a part of our community. So we invite you to the beginning of our next creation, "The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts."

The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts
is in its very early stage but we feel it is very important to be a part of the community. We will put the emphasis in woodworking and woodturning workshops, offering general interest night and day classes and weekend workshop intensives, as well as offering classes in other mediums such as stained glass, jewelry making, ceramics and others. We are located in an historic theatre in South Grafton, Massachusetts off of Rte 122, easily accessible from Providence, RI, Worcester, MA and Boston, MA.

Please come and see what we have to offer. The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts is hosting a woodturning demonstration by renowned woodturner Harvey Fein. Harvey supports our mission and has agreed to do a demo for us, offering us a rare opportunity to see exquisite woodturning up close - and for just $10. This demo is on Saturday September 11th at 10 AM. All proceeds of this demonstration go to the development of programs at the school. Any kind donations can be made out to the school. If you have any questions please email blackstonevalleyschoolofcraft@gmail.com.

Steve Butler is a studio furniture maker who maintains a studio practice in Mendon, MA. His work has been featured in various magazines and books such as Lark Books 500 Chairs and 500 Tables. He has taught and developed woodworking programs at the Worcester Center for Crafts and at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ.

Richards Chiros brings years of experience as a contemporary commercial cabinetmaker, owner and operator of Woodhaus, a commercial cabinet business in South Grafton, MA.

Jeff Hollis is owner, operator of Eagle Eye Antiques. Jeff is a furniture finisher, restorer and woodworker and has years of experience in the antique business. All of us are passionate craft educators and want your support. Please come out and help support craft in your community, join us on Saturday September 11th. We look forward to meeting our craft community.

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About the Chamber

The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley and meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce serves the eleven towns in the Massachusetts BV Region: Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. For more information on the Chamber please contact administrator@blackstonevalley.org or call 508 234 9090 X101.