Thomas R. Irven is a
wood artist who has been producing custom furniture and
woodturnings in his Bellaire, TX studio since 1987. He
earned a BS in Business from Ferris State University in
1981 and an MS in Occupational Education from the
University of Houston in 1984. Thomas has taught
woodworking and drafting in public schools and private
institutions. Irven apprenticed under an English master
craftsman and has conducted seminars in woodworking,
woodturning, and design. Woodturning has always been a
passion for Thomas, and played a large part in his
furniture making. In 1998, turning wood became the focus of
his work. Thomas spent a year as an Artist in Residence at
the Houston Center for Contemporary
Craft, and is
currently teaching classes in woodturning and design,
and creating woodturnings for the wholesale and retail
markets. His most recent recognition includes, an Award
of Merit, the top award, in the Craft Houston 2004:
Texas exhibition organized by the Houston Center for
Contemporary Craft and juried by Lawerence Rinder of the
Whitney Museum in New York City. Thomas Irven’s
work is also a part of the 2004 Lark Books
publication 400 Wood
Boxes: The Fine Art of Containment and Concealment.
Thomas
R. Irven
5202 Willow St., Bellaire, TX 77401, PH/FAX
713-666-6881
