Martha and Phil Baerreis have built their lives around woodworking, emphasizing clean, functional design. In 1972 they began making a full-time living with their artwork. Before this, they helped establish Austin’s Renaissance Market—an artist-only marketplace known as “The Drag,” still active today in downtown Austin, Texas.
They traveled to art shows throughout Texas and the Southeast for many years, showcasing their work. In 1990, they moved to Charleston, South Carolina, becoming regulars at the Charleston Market six days a week. By 2000, drawn to the Appalachian region’s artistic heritage and the natural beauty of the region, they settled in the mountains of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Today their work is at Marquee Asheville, at Open Studios at the Cherokee County Arts Council in Murphy, NC, and at the Marietta Square Artisan Market.
Martha and Phil design each piece to highlight function, simplicity, and the natural beauty of their chosen medium. Their bandsawn art boxes emphasize the distinctive qualities of each piece of wood, focusing on grain, texture, and natural features. Their approach blends thoughtful design with a deep appreciation for their medium.
The scope of their work includes puzzle boxes, lift-top containers, kitchenware, hair forks, barrettes, puzzles, toys, and the occasional piece of furniture/one off artwork. Each creation reflects over fifty years dedicated to craftsmanship and purposeful design. Martha and Phil Baerreis embody the arts-and-crafts tradition, creating functional and timeless art.
