Monday, September 15, 2025

Exceptional Mentors: North Bennet Avenue College

Lance Patterson teaching at the North Bennet Street School Phil Lowe, past teacher of the North Bennet Street School, woodworking in workshop

Educating custom. Phil Lowe (left) and Lance Patterson (proper) have been two key forces within the invigoration of the furnishings program at North Bennet Avenue College within the Nineteen Seventies. Lowe taught at NBSS for 10 years, and later 20 years at his personal faculty, the Furnishings Institute of Massachusetts. Patterson, spoken about with reverence by former college students, nonetheless teaches at NBSS.

 

The North Bennet Avenue College had been in enterprise for over 80 years when Phil Lowe enrolled as a scholar in 1967. Based partially on the ideas of the sloyd system of guide arts instruction, it was housed in a unusual assortment of interconnected buildings in Boston’s North Finish. Along with woodworking, the varsity embraced applications in restoration carpentry, e book binding, violin making, piano tuning and restore, and locksmithing. The Cupboard and Furnishings Making program, based within the early Nineteen Fifties by George Fullerton, was considerably sleepy when Lowe arrived, however the rising curiosity in craftsmanship introduced in different impressed college students. Lowe turned a trainer at NBSS in 1975 and stayed till 1985. By all accounts, his management—together with that of Lance Patterson and others—revitalized this system and locked in a rigorous and complete curriculum.

The 2-year course of research taught conventional drafting and hand and machine abilities, together with the joinery and construction embodied in traditional American interval furnishings. It started turning out college students whose abilities have been superior and whose period-influenced items have been impeccable. A roster of excellent academics within the ensuing many years ensured that the varsity’s requirements stayed extraordinarily excessive. If there was a caveat about NBSS, it was that there was no authentic design part within the curriculum, and deviating from custom was dissuaded. However lately, increasingly more makers who skilled at NBSS have been producing furnishings that, whereas hewing to excessive ranges of workmanship, displays way more stylistic freedom and originality.

 

Stellar stuff. The extent of labor achieved by NBSS college students and graduates is a calling card for the varsity. These individuals know learn how to make. The chest is by John McCormack; the desk is by William Thomas; and the cupboard is by Miguel Gomez-Ibanez, who attended after which directed the varsity.vertical folding star wood grain table by William Thomas

Handmade, gold handle, light colored wood chest with dark wood grain. By John McCormack from the North Bennet Street School.ornate alphabetized spice cabinet by Miguel Gomez-Ibanez, former director of the North Bennet Street School

NBSS academics and graduates have contributed mightily to Positive Woodworking. Phil Lowe, who ran his personal faculty after leaving NBSS, led the way in which with some 30 articles. Lance Patterson anatomized a Boston bombay chest in FWW #45. The latest? Ellen Kaspern’s article on constructing a lantern.

Positive Woodworking Reside 2019 Pupil Exhibition

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The Historical past of the North Bennet Avenue Toolbox

For some it’s a place to place your instruments, however for the scholars of North Bennet Avenue College, their toolbox is a badge of honor.

Ellen Kaspern’s Elegant Twig Lantern

This mission is filled with particulars and joinery workout routines

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