Andrew Lawton

After training to be a junior school teacher in the nineteen seventies, Andrew realised that a career in a classroom of ten year olds wasn't for him. An earlier interest in design and craftsmanship resurfaced and he spent two years of informal tuition in fine furniture making with his father Harry, who spent most of his working life teaching woodwork and technical drawing in schools and to student craft teachers. Added to this, workshop experience and a course at Chesterfield College of Art set Andrew on the road to life as a designer maker. Since nineteen eighty he has been creating furniture in the former workshop of 'pioneer Derbyshire craftsman' Ben Coopland
[c. 1885-1965]in the magnificent landscape of the Peak District National Park.
His work has been widely exhibited, notably at the annual 'Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design' in Cheltenham, various exhibitions held in London and the provinces by the Society of Designer Craftsmen,
and most recently, 'The Arts & Crafts Legacy'in London, curated by Martin Grierson.

Andrew is a Member of The Chartered Society of Designers, a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Furniture makers.

Away from his own workshop, he has taught at the Center For Furniture Craftsmanship, Maine, USAand assisted Alan Peters OBE, Minehead, Somerset, for two short periods.