A letter from the new owners of Upholstery Education

Upholstery Education has announced a dedicated new ownership group that represents both the West and East Coasts. This new team is comprised of industry leaders: Mandy Szigethy of Rose City Upholstery in Portland, OR; Marta Powers of MartaPOW LLC in Richmond, VA; and Justin Dazey of Castillo’s Custom Upholstery in Seattle, WA. Following founder Louise Cornick’s vision of bringing master upholsterers together with students, they are eager to continue Louise’s passion. With a strong commitment to excellence, they aim to enhance the educational experiences offered, ensuring that aspiring professionals, hobbyists, and experienced artisans can continue to master both traditional upholstery and modern restoration techniques.

The team of instructors that has helped to establish such a strong reputation of excellence for Upholstery Education will continue to work with the new ownership. All having been trained themselves in British and European methods, they continue their dedication to the trade through their own work and teaching at home. Gareth Rees, Greg Cupitt-Jones, Armand Verdier, Bruno Paulin Lopez and Rachael South have all committed to continue their relationship with Upholstery Education. Their expertise and support is invaluable, and they provide a rare opportunity for students in the States to access this knowledge with hands-on instruction.

Upholstery Education is committed to offering exceptional experiences with master artisans tailored for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. The programming is focused on inspiring students to learn the techniques of traditional upholstery and its history, and increasing awareness of the possibilities and potential for its application. Often, the courses are a student’s first exposure to traditional upholstery materials and techniques. The experienced instructors explain the methods, uses, techniques and history of the trade in a supportive and encouraging environment. An added benefit is the development of rich relationships and networks across the profession and, literally, across the world. All of this, with the goal of promoting and continuing a centuries old trade and creating awareness of the value of legacy crafts.

Through collaborations with beloved instructors, tutors, and innovative programming, this new team is excited to be part of the community and support the growth of traditional crafts through education.

“Our vision is to provide the highest standard of instruction, fostering creativity and a passion for quality craftsmanship. We are dedicated to training the next generation of artisans and maintaining the legacy of traditional crafts."