WOO BENCHMARK CAMPAIGN -> 2021 AND ONWARDS!

by A Workshop of Our Own


Katie Hudnall

I'm a longtime believer and supporter of WOO.  I run the Wood and Furniture Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison - as an educator in the field it is so important to me that all of my students see themselves reflected in the field and that they feel like there is a space for folks like them in the world beyond academia.  Too often that is not the case for my women-identifying and gender non-conforming students, but WOO is helping to change that!  
 
I've been on the Board of WOO since early 2020, and am so proud of the organization for rising to the challenges of this past year by moving all of their classes and programs online.  With an audience and membership that is growing now nationally and internationally, it is clear that in 2021 the world needs WOO more than ever!  
 
I am fundraising with WOO to make sure that this space (both virtual and physical!) can survive and thrive, continuing to make room in the field for voices that might otherwise not find a platform.  Every little bit helps!  
 
Want to know more about WOO?  Listen to this WYPR story or read this recent Bmore Art piece  about WOO's work.


Let’s shake off the dust of 2020 and start anew! Together, we can build a solid financial foundation for WOO and enable us to become an independent 501c3 with operating capital for years to come. We’re naming this fundraiser in honor of Haystack Mountain School of Crafts’ gift of seven (!) workbenches, and kicking off a yearlong campaign with sweepstakes featuring items from a star-studded group of highly sought-after woodworkers. 
 
The start of 2020 brought great promise to WOO. In early March, The WOO Pit Crew jump-started the renovation of our Baltimore woodshop. What began as an inspirational week ended in uncertainty as COVID-19 rapidly plagued the world. Looking past the struggles of closing our doors to members, the forced pause provided an opportunity for WOO to restructure our organization with the help of our new and highly-motivated Board of Directors. We have since launched our virtual programming, From WOO to You, and despite the temporary shutdown of our physical space, have been successful in expanding our community internationally. The WOO community now includes woodworkers from Australia, Saudi Arabia, Great Britain, Canada, Italy, Argentina and more! To further this good work, buy a sweepstakes entry or simply support us by clicking that DONATE button.
 
 
What can $100,000 do for WOO?
     
$28,000 =
 
 
Losses accrued in 2020, Recovery from the Pandemic
We worked really hard to pivot and transform WOO into a pandemic-resilient global community, but we still incurred losses and we need your help to recover!
 
$6,300 =
 
 
Technology costs for 1 year 
Our Virtual Programming reaches students across the globe, as well as people right here in Baltimore who may not be able to physically attend a class in person. Help us keep that going!
 
$4,800 =
 
 
You Power WOO: electricity for the year!
 
$6,000 =
 
 
Winter Heating: Our woodshop is a big and beautiful space of learning and community. And it takes a lot to keep it warm in the winter. Help us keep our students and volunteers comfortable and safe!
 
$3,000 =
 
 
Bringing the Haystack Benches Home (and traveling WOO class!?)
Help us fund the WOO road trip to pickup the donated benches in Maine, and hold a few traveling classes along the way!
 
$44,400 =
 
 
Keeping our Building! (rent for a year)
As we have begun re-opening the woodshop, we are so happy to welcome our members, students, and guests back into this magical space, and keep the costs to our community as accessible as possible. 
 
$5,000 =
 
 
 
Electrical Upgrades to Shop - these are super necessary! As we grow and gain additional machinery, we need to upgrade our electrical capacity and improve our lighting throughout the evolving space. Upgraded electrical and better lighting = a safer, better woodshop!
 
$2,500 =  
 
Building a student exhibition gallery and Virtual Programming filming space!
Help us amplify the voices of our students and community members!
 
__________
$100,000
 
 
These are big numbers, but adding little numbers together will get us there! Every dollar donated helps us reach our goal of pandemic recovery and financial stability going into 2022! 
 
 
 
 
 
Here’s how the sweepstakes work: 
 
  • Update as of October 14th 2021: Our Benchmark Campaign Sweepstakes are currently ON PAUSE as our amazing friends at A Raffle of Our Own run an amazing instagram raffle in support of WOO. You can learn all about it on Instagram @araffleofourown
  • A $10 donation gets you one sweepstakes entry, but you can increase your chances by donating more: $50 gets 6 entries, or better yet, 15 entries for donating $100! But there is no purchase necessary to win. To receive a sweepstakes entry without donating, send a postcard (or letter) to WOO at 1780 Union Ave, Baltimore MD, 21211: you must include your name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address. One entry per postcard.
     
  • We will hold the drawings for these items as we reach “benchmark” points in the fundraiser: donation goals, numbers of supporters & more will trigger new sweepstakes items! New prizes will be announced in our email newsletter and on all our social media platforms. (Sign up for emails here!) 
     
  • If you make a donation, your entry(ies) will be added to the next drawing, even if item isn't not announced yet.
     
  • The fundraiser will close with a big Last Chance Sweepstakes. ALL sweepstakes entries from throughout the whole campaign will be automatically entered into this final drawing. 
 
PREVIOUS SWEEPSTAKES:
 
Danish cord woven seat stool by Christina Boy
Sweepstakes #1: Danish Cord Stool by Christina Boy!
Drawing March 2nd
Winner: Kirsten Brinlee of Baltimore, Maryland!

We kicked off our sweepstakes series with a handcrafted stool by furniture maker and WOO instructor, Christina Boy. This one-of-a-kind piece, made of ash wood with a woven Danish cord seat, was built in the WOO shop during Christina’s “Build, Weave, Take a Seat” class in March of 2019.  The bench measures 20"x18"x18"h.
 
Three handmade striped brushes displayed in an array.
Sweepstakes #2: Striped Brush Set by Aspen Golann!
Drawing April 13th
Winner: Steve Carlson of Danbury, Wisconsin!
 
The second rad piece in our sweepstakes series! This handcrafted Striped Brush Set by furniture maker, educator, and WOO Board Member, Aspen Golann. These brushes mix playfulness and tradition, utility and sculpture. Made using traditional ebonizing techniques, hand tools and brush tying, these pieces have the physical integrity of traditional craft with a contemporary aesthetic.
 
Three handmade striped brushes displayed in an array.
Sweepstakes #3: Five Little Chairs, by Sophie Glenn!
Drawing May 15th
Winner: Dwight Beebe, Massachusetts!
 
Our 3rd sweepstakes give-away was this incredibly special set of five bronze miniature chairs by Metalworker/Furniture Maker Sophie Glenn. The chairs were made through the lost wax bronze casting process, and they range in size from the tallest at 7" to the smallest at 1.5".
 
Five bronze miniature chairs
SWEEPSTAKES #4: Push Me Pull You Brush Sculpture
by Katie Hudnall
Drawing October 13th
 
Our 4th sweepstakes give-away was this beautiful brush by Katie Hudnall! Katie says, "This is a small, carved, sculptural piece with brushes on either end.  Made from reclaimed maple.  This process is something I learned early in the pandemic thanks to a wonderful tutorial from artist Aspen Golann." Materials: Found wood, tampico fibers, various polychrome. Size: 14” x 6” x 3”