anna gregory

Anna Gregory uses the inherent beauty of locally sourced woods in her functional and non-functional woodwork.

“I have a desire to connect with the natural world through the lens of architectural form and structure,” said the Kentucky sculptor.

Artist: Born in Georgetown, KY, Gregory went to the University of Kentucky. In 2008, she received a master’s in architecture with an emphasis in sustainable materials.

During and after college, Gregory worked for her dad’s business building custom cabinetry and then got into retail display for a few years.

After Gregory got laid off from a job as a display artist for Urban Outfitters she started working on her own projects and designs.

That turned into a few commission requests, and gradually evolved into what she does today.

Studio: Gregory started working independently as an artist and woodworker in 2017 in a woodshop she shares with her father (a custom cabinet maker and excellent woodworker). The fully functioning workshop was converted from an old hay barn when she was a kid.

“It’s nestled in a beautiful, wooded area right next to the Elkhorn Creek on my parents’ property outside of Midway,” said the second generation craftsperson.

“My favorite part is we can look out the window at any given time and see blue herons, eagles and ducks on the creek.”

Art & materials: Functional and non-functional wood sculpture and furniture using locally sourced native woods ($100 to $5,000-plus).

What’s popular: Her sculptural work in various series, including:

“Screen” series (large-scale wall pieces with linear and steam-bent wooden lines throughout).
Plant sculpture series.
Bird series.

Favorite tool: A mallet her brother made for her out of ash as a graduation present when she earned her master’s degree.

Inspirations:

West Coast woodworkers like the late sculptor JB Blunk.
Looking to textile artists like the women of Gee’s Bend.
Shaker-style woodworking and architecture.

“And since central Kentucky is home to one of the original Shaker villages,” said Gregory. “That hits a little closer to home.”

Fun & unusual commission: Built a “Koji Table” for The Void Sake Company in Lexington.

The company was starting out and needed a large and very specific custom table for the rice that is inoculated with the “koji” spores for the sake-making process.

“It was a blast to learn about and create,” said Gregory.

Recent project: Just finished installing a free-standing sculptural collage piece built for a house in Harrodsburg that measures 7½ feet long and features more than 10 different native wood species.

“It’s one of my favorite pieces to date,” said Gregory.

What’s new: