“Next year will mark 40 years of my independent woodworking career. At Able Trade, the cooperative of woodworkers, metal workers, and artists in Jackson Terminal next to the Old City, I found what I was looking for – a community of creative makers.”
Woodworker Scott Angelucci, originally from Delaware, was always drawn to historic restoration and the building of reproduction furniture from the TV shows “This Old House” and “The New Yankee Workshop.” This interest led him to study period furniture design and construction with the Delaware State Museums as an independent contractor conservator and restorer. Scott began creating accurate reproductions of 17th and 18th century furniture and received many commissions from collectors and patrons.
With a resurgence in the popularity of the Arts and Crafts movement, Scott began creating pieces from that period while becoming increasingly interested in architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s contributions. “I learned that he (Wright) loved and collected Japanese block prints and even designed furniture specifically for it,” recalled Scott. This prompted Scott to study Japanese architecture and furniture design. “They are masters of joinery and building without fasteners,” he said. Scott’s more recent pieces reflect these influences.
While still in Delaware, Scott and his wife, Gail, who is a stained glass artist, renovated several buildings along Milford’s Riverwalk that included a studio for each of them and a large gallery space – Angelucci Fine Woodworking and Stained Glass was born. The building’s second floor had studio space for 10 additional artists. They moved south in 2016 after visiting Knoxville while on vacation. “We instantly fell in love with the city,” Scott remembered. “It was winter, and the festive atmosphere of downtown stole our hearts. Who wouldn’t want to live here?!”
Scott worked out of a small shop space in their home for years and eventually joined The Art Market Gallery, where he began getting some exposure and finding local customers. “At a First Friday event in 2024, I discovered Able Trade, a cooperative of woodworkers, metal workers, and artists in the Jackson Terminal,” said Scott. “I found what I was looking for – a community of creative makers. Being part of a community of creative people is inspiring, and having a working location in downtown is great exposure.”
What is Scott up to now after almost 40 successful years as an independent woodworker? “I’m currently working on some new pieces that take my Arts and Crafts designs in a fresh direction,” he said. “I’m also working on marquetry designs (thin wood veneers added to pieces to form intricate patterns and images) along with some unique, custom built-ins.” He has pieces at The Grove Park Inn’s Grovewood Village Gallery in Asheville and The Art Market Gallery in downtown Knoxville and recently participated in the “Southern Woodworkers Showcase” at the Emporium on Gay Street. Look for him at First Friday in April with SoKnoSculpt at Mighty Mud studio.
See Scott Angelucci’s work at The Art Market Gallery on Gay Street or contact him at AngelucciGallery@aol.com.