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    Columbus Makes Art Presents Chris Leiter Sharing His Love of Woodworking


    Chris Leiter, woodworker

    “It is my hope that my pieces can and will be passed down from generation to generation.”

    — Chris Leiter, Woodworker

    Chris Leiter is a woodworker who will be exhibiting his work at Upper Arlington’s Labor Day Arts Festival on Monday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Northam Park. We chatted with Chris about his work.

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    Jodi: How did you first become interested in woodworking?
    Chris: I’ve been interested in woodworking my whole life.  Both my father and grandfather had workshops, so I’ve been making sawdust for ages. I also took a couple wood shop classes in high school. It wasn’t until recently (2019) that I decided to make woodworking a profession after making a couple end grain cutting boards as Christmas gifts.

    Jodi: What inspires you?
    Chris: I am inspired by the various wood materials. With no two pieces of wood being the same, I’m always on the hunt for new exotic pieces or highly figured lumber.

    Jodi: What do you like to listen to when you are working on your art?
    Chris: ’70’s Rock! I created a Pandora station: The Band Radio. It’s full of classics and occasionally a song I’ve never heard before. I am on a Grateful Dead kick right now!

    Jodi: What is your favorite thing about the Labor Day Arts Festival?
    Chris: I live only five minutes from Northam Park, so that is hard to beat. In addition to the location, the crew that puts the festival together year after year and amazing attendees makes for a great show!

    A wooden box by Chris Leiter.
    A wooden box by Chris Leiter.
    An heirloom quality piece by Chris Leiter.
    An heirloom quality piece by Chris Leiter.
    Watch box by Chris Leiter.
    Watch box by Chris Leiter.

    Jodi: What story does your artwork tell?
    Chris: The real story starts taking place once someone decides to take a piece of my artwork and make it their own. It is my hope that my pieces can and will be passed down from generation to generation. There truly could be a never-ending story associated with any given piece. I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I love and grateful to be able to participate in the Labor Day Arts Festival.

    See more of Chris’ work on Facebook or through his Etsy page. Stop in to the Labor Day Arts Festival to see work by Chris and over 120 other artists from across the country. The Labor Day Arts Festival also features live local entertainment, food trucks, an interactive arts activities area and a community chalk mural. Join us on Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Northam Park in Upper Arlington!

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting and advancing the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Learn more about local artists, organizations, public art and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com.

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    Jodi Osborne
    Jodi Osbornehttps://upperarlingtonoh.gov/parks-recreation/labor-day-arts-festival/
    Jodi Osborne is arts manager for the City of Upper Arlington’s Cultural Arts Division.
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