Where Imagination Meets Craft: The Enchanting Painted Furniture of Tommy Simpson

Opening Reception: February 6th
Exhibition Runs: February 6 – March 1, Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Free and Open to the Public

Black Mountain Center for the Arts is proud to present an exhibition of works by renowned artist Tommy Simpson, whose imaginative approach to craft has captivated audiences for decades. An ""imaginist"" at heart, Simpson transforms functional furniture into vibrant three-dimensional canvases that blur the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and design.
Known for his playful combination of mixed woods, found objects, and whimsical imagery, Simpson's work springs from a childhood spent creating with scrap wood and encouragement from his great-aunt Florence. Though he never formally studied furniture making, Simpson has developed a distinctive visual language that engages viewers through rich textures, unexpected materials, and storytelling surfaces.
Each piece in this exhibition embodies Simpson's belief that different woods can speak to us in multiple ways—a philosophy that has earned him recognition in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection and beyond. His painted furniture invites us to reconsider the objects around us, finding wonder in the everyday and magic in the handmade.
Join us for this rare opportunity to experience the convergence of head, heart, and hand in Tommy Simpson's enchanting body of work.
Black Mountain Center for the Arts Free Admission | All Welcome