About John Conver Lutz

John Conver Lutz began exploring his passion for woodworking and furniture design over 30 years ago. He has explored working for industry focusing his efforts on high end furniture and millwork while learning the tools of the trade. During this period John continued his own craft exploration, teaching at Penland School of Crafts and continuing education at RIT.

In an effort to find a workplace where quality of life, woodworking and community held importance, John soon found his home working for Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers in Maine. It was in this wonderful state that John’s love for community, the human spirit, the earth and historic architecture was able to grow. His free time was spent renovating historic homes and eventually designing and building an 1800 style colonial – a true labor of love. From building stone walls to collecting sap for maple syrup, the love of process and craftsmanship became a cornerstone in all of John’s endeavors.

John Conver Lutz Works

A designer for Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers for 18 years, John was able to share a significant role in the Company’s growth and development.  Designing several product lines, John was awarded design patents and two IBD Design Awards.  John’s passion for teaching the craft continued through leading several AIA lectures, teaching certified courses to interior designers, and starting up the Continuing Education in Woodworking at Maine College of Art. In 2004 John decided to bring his wife and four year old daughter back to his family’s homestead in Bucks County, PA. Now, as General Manager of George Nakashima Woodworker, he has once again found a community rich in appreciation for craft, family, and historic architecture.

In this new life, John has begun to further explore the concepts behind his personal work while focusing on the process of making traditional forms. Whether the pieces are oil rub finished or painted, he aims to reflect the process of making in the final piece, all in the hopes that the mark of the craftsperson and material can be celebrated.

Walk of Life

2008- Present                 George Nakashima Woodworker, New Hope, PA

2006-2008                      Agati, Inc., Chicago, IL

2004-2006                      Superior Woodcraft, Doylestown, PA

1988-2004                      Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers, Auburn, ME

1994-1996                       Maine College of Art, Portland, ME

1986-1988                       Woodrite, Inc., Willow Grove, PA

1984-1986                       Hardwood House, Rochester, NY

1983-1986                       R.I.T, Rochester, NY

1984                                 Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC

Education

1984  Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

BFA      Woodworking and Furniture Design, School of American    Craftsman

1986-1988   MBA Graduate Program -Temple University, Phila., PA

1983        Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC

1979        Philadelphia College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Patents / Awards:

• 2018 Wingate Fine Woodworking Award – Bucks County Community College
• 2016 Jurors Award – Craft Forms, Wayne Arts Center, Wayne, PA
• 2015 Wingate Fine Woodworking Award – Bucks County Community College
• 1993 Modular Carrel, Design Patent
• 1992 IBD, Silver Award, Health Care Chair
• 1984 International Woodworking Fair, Design Award
• 1984 Merit Award “Woodworking 1984”, Stifel Fine Arts Center, Wheeling, W.VA
• 1984 Furniture Design Competition, International Woodworking Fair, Atlanta, GA
• 1983 Scholarship, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
• 1981,1982,1983 RIT Student Honors Show, Rochester, NY,

Exhibitions of Personal Work

• 2018 Student Exhibition – Hicks Gallery, Bucks County Community College
• 2017 Craft Forms – Wayne Arts Center, Wayne, PA
• 2017 Works in Wood, New Hope Arts Center, New Hope, PA
• 2017 Student Exhibition – Hicks Gallery, Bucks County Community College
• 2017 American Association of Woodturners – Waves Of Grain, Member Exhibition
• 2016 Craft Forms – Wayne Arts Center, Wayne, PA
• 2016 Works in Wood, New Hope Arts Center, New Hope, PA
• 2016 The Spotlight: Functional Light as Illuminated Sculpture – Craft in America Center , Los Angeles, CA
• 2016 Furniture Society Conference – Praxis Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA
• 2016 Student Exhibition – Hicks Gallery, Bucks County Community College
• 2015 Craft Forms – Wayne Arts Center, Wayne, PA
• 2015 Student Exhibition – Hicks Gallery, Bucks County Community College
• 1984 Furniture Design Competition “Informal Living for the 80s”, International Woodworking Fair, Atlanta, GA
• 1984 “ Woodworking 1984” Stifel Fine Arts Center” Wheeling, W. VA
• 1984 “What Four” Craft Company #6, Rochester, NY

• 1981, 1982, 1983 Student Honors Exhibit, Bevier Gallery, Rochester, NY
• 1983 Presidential Showcase Display, Bevier Gallery, Rochester, NY
• 1983“Rocherster Phenomenon” Work Bench Gallery, New York, NY

Publications

• 11/1984 Furniture Design and Manufacturing, Magazine Student Designers… Creating Furniture for the 80’s
• 4/84 The Briton-Pittsford Post, Newspaper, Rochester NY “Four Senior Woodworkers at RIT Exhibit their Craft”
• 4/1984 “The Masters of the Craft” Democrat and Chronicle, Newspaper, Rocherst, NY
• 4/1984 Artist Interview Feature WHEC TV 10, Rochester, NY
• 5/1983 Associated Press Release,” New York School in Harvard for Crafts”
• 1982, 1983 RIT College of Fine and Applied Arts, View Book, Rochester, NY