This summer, Adirondack Experience (ADKX), The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, invites visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty, craftsmanship, and enduring legacy of rustic design with its new temporary exhibition, “Natural Beauty: The Art of Rustic Furniture.”
In the new 3,000-square-foot Changing Exhibit Gallery specifically designed for rotating exhibitions, “Natural Beauty” brings together more than 250 exceptional works from the heart of the Adirondacks and around the world, offering a fresh perspective on a design tradition rooted in nature and imagination.
“Natural Beauty” features rarely seen rustic furniture and furnishings drawn from private collections, U.S. museums, and the holdings of ADKX. The exhibition highlights work from 19th – 21st century Adirondack furniture makers such as Ernest Stowe, Seth Pierce, Andrew Fisher, William Jones, Orion Savage, Jonathan Swartwout, Barney Bellinger, Tyler Schrader, Jonathan Sweet, Peter Winter and Jillian Post.
A Global Take on Rustic Traditions
While the Adirondacks are synonymous with rustic style, similar traditions have taken root in mountainous regions across Asia and Europe, and areas of the U.S. including New England, the South and West.
In these diverse settings, artisans have long transformed native woods into furniture that reflects the textures and character of the natural world.
“Natural Beauty” places Adirondack furniture within this broader, global context – tracing how a practice born of necessity evolved into a refined aesthetic that blends local craftsmanship with international influences.
From Great Camps to Contemporary Studios
Inspired by Chinese garden aesthetics, European designers in the late 1700s began crafting furniture that echoed the organic forms of trees, vines, and leaves – a romantic style that reached the United States by the 1840s and helped shape early notions of rustic design.
The Adirondack region’s distinct contribution to rustic design began in the 1870s with the creation of the Great Camps, lavish wilderness retreats built by wealthy urban industrialists seeking escape from city life.
These sprawling compounds, set in the Adirondack Mountains, embraced native materials and a handcrafted aesthetic that brought nature indoors. Their interiors were furnished with whimsical rustic pieces that used twigs, bark, and burls to create a rugged, woodsy atmosphere.
The exhibit also explores how rustic design continues to thrive and transform today. From classic, handcrafted methods passed down through generations to modern interpretations that incorporate unexpected materials like scrap metal and LED lighting, rustic furniture remains a vibrant, expressive art form.
“ADKX holds the world’s largest collection of Adirondack rustic furniture, and with so many talented new makers emerging—and even longtime artisans pushing the boundaries—we felt it was the perfect time to revisit and reimagine this tradition,” said ADKX Chief Curator Laura Rice.
“Rustic design is experiencing a true resurgence, moving far beyond the classic camp aesthetic into urban lofts and modern interiors. We hope visitors leave with a deep appreciation for the extraordinary craftsmanship behind each piece, whether rooted in tradition or boldly contemporary.”
Featured Artists
Jillian Post, a master woodworker and lead carver at the family-run L. Post Rustics, is known for her intricate, nature-inspired carvings that merge traditional craftsmanship with contemporary sensibility. With a background in environmental science, botany, and art, Post creates pieces that reflect sustainability, fine artistry, and a reverence for the natural materials she works with.
Seth Pierce (1828–1911), one of the Adirondacks’ 19th century rustic furniture makers, helped define the region’s stylistic roots with hand-built pieces that showcased local materials and rugged beauty. His legacy remains a cornerstone of the rustic design movement.
Tyler Schrader, among the youngest artists featured, brings a bold and unconventional approach to rustic furniture. Known for integrating modern techniques and personal expression, Schrader represents a new generation reshaping the tradition for the 21st century.
Jonathan Swartwout, a trained painter turned full-time furniture maker, allows the forest itself to shape his process. He gathers materials directly from the woods, letting color, grain, and form determine each piece’s design. His work emphasizes the organic unity between function and form.
Paul Lakata, an artist and plein air painter, creates furniture that blends rustic craftsmanship with painterly vision. His work draws from the Adirondack landscape both as material and inspiration.
“Natural Beauty: The Art of Rustic Furniture” will remain on view through the 2026 season. For more information, visit www.theadkx.org.
Photo: Adirondack Experience’s rustic furniture exhibit (courtesy ADKX).
Source link
