Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Agnew.
Hi Luke, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Owner and craftsman Luke Agnew received his formal woodworking and carpentry education at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine. He received his training from some the best craftsmen, designers, and furniture makers in the United States and the U.K. Over the course of the last 10 years, Luke has also apprenticed with Donegal Millworks, Cabinet Makeovers, and with a furniture maker and restorer. His training includes a vast array of joinery techniques, case piece construction, veneering, curvature, and CNC router technology. These techniques merged with built-in furniture design concepts make for the creation of a unique space in the home. Woodworking is a process of techniques and well-thought-out strategies fused together to achieve a beautiful end-product. This is the work specific to ARTIS.
Luke also holds a B.A. in Education from Pennsylvania State University and an M.A. in Theology from the Augustine Institute. Luke and his wife Arina live in Maryland and have a son.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The most challenging aspect thus far has centered around wearing many hats as owner and lead craftsman: namely securing licenses required in Maryland, DC, and Virginia to operate as a home improvement contractor, while building client relationships, executing design work, purchasing materials, building, finishing, and finally installing each project. Finally, there is the marketing piece, which my wife has generously taken up for us.
As our business has grown, my role has required me to wear fewer hats, as we have found exceptional woodworkers, painters, and installers to assist with our growing demand. All are now trained to deliver the quality that sets our work apart.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Our business name is derived from the Latin artis, meaning “of art, skill, craft.”
With that in mind, we recently, in my opinion, received the project of a lifetime at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington DC. In collaboration with McCrery architects we have been hired to build in quartered white oak four cloister niches. The project specifically includes medieval design work seen in ages long past, that has largely left modern woodworkers scratching their heads in how to successfully achieve such techniques. For me, this work is not only intriguing to work through, and exacting to bring to form, but at the same time is truly a work that reflects the Divine in order, proportion, and beauty. I am elated to have been entrusted with such a work.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Over the summer, we found ourselves confronted by a big risk-taking decision:
Our demand for built-ins was increasing and our space for building and daily operations was limited. Fortunately, the space next door was becoming available and would allow us to double our space and bring on two more craftsmen, as well as perform finishing operations in-house. As you can imagine, doubling your rent, adding more labor costs, and machinery could be accounted for in the uptick of demand, but demand is not always a stable indicator of financial continuity and stability. Yes, this has certainly been a risk that we have handled quite well thus far, but one that could prove beneficial to revenue should the demand for what we do continue to grow. If we had stayed where we were, we would have been capped on the growth of our business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artiswoodworking.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artiswoodworking?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ARTIS-Custom-Woodworking-Fine-Cabinetry/61552208963616/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
