Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Weber Callahan.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Where I started, oh goodness… I began studying Historic Preservation at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and quickly, in my first year, decided it was not hands-on or (dirty enough) for me. A friend of mine recommended I take a Furniture Design Course, which I was unaware was even an option! Needless to say, I fell in love. It was exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for. Long story short, I finished my BFA in Furniture Design, with a minor in Historic Preservation.
After graduating, I wanted to submerge in design. I applied to a few jobs in Los Angeles, as well as a handful in New York. After a trip abroad with my best friend that summer I landed on a part-time job in New York, where I would be able to live with my sister Laine. This job was in the heart of the city at a gorgeous Furniture CO OP Gallery and Design Studio- Colony. While nannying and working at Colony, I learned quite quickly the pace and passion New York had for Design and that I needed to quickly catch up or I would sink.
A few months later, I landed a Job that would be more hands-on and design-focused. A few days of assisting Chris Miano in his shop turned into an incredible experience building furniture of all types, 3D Modeling, and learning firsthand the custom Furniture design side of New York. A little over a year later, and during the beginning of the Pandemic, I was eager to continue growing the knowledge I had then gotten a taste of.
I Interviewed for a role at Restoration Hardware in Flatiron. This job. Became more than a job. It taught me more than I could have ever dreamt of. The dear friends, role models, and connections I made at RH will forever be in my life. I worked my way up through the two years I spent in this gallery, designing and coordinating clients’ homes of all sizes, leading design teams, leading training, creating training for the company as a whole, and loving every minute of it.
The one problem was I missed sketching and bringing my ideas to life. I researched a few companies I had my eyes on and through a dear friend from RH, I applied to my dream job. A custom Furniture designer for AvroKO. A leading design firm that creates a story within every space they touch. – I have worked for AvroKO for a little over a year now and am able to say it is still my Dream Job. Having the opportunity to design Custom lighting, seating, and case goods and to learn from Steven Eshleman, our Director of Industrial Design, has been a dream. Designing for some of the most beautiful hotels and restaurants in the world. Grateful for every person that has had a hand in where I am currently.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Obstacles come with life, and in my opinion learning to go with the flow is essential to reach your goals. Being let go from my first job in the city was a hard pill to swallow, especially when it was my “dream job” at the time, but it also was such an important step in my life and how I got to where I am currently. Understanding why it happened and how I could take something away from it, was a huge lesson, if it hadn’t, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I also have been extremely blessed to have had such a supportive family and group of friends, who make a challenge or hardship feel a tad smaller.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Besides my full-time job of being a Furniture Designer at AvroKO, I also have my own LLC. I started two years ago and have been building it non-stop on the side ever since. I make sculptural pottery and furniture out of clay, glass, and wood. My work is quite natural in its form, usually highly textured and figural. Seeking the user to really feel my work when seeing it and feel the emotion I had when creating it. Creating pieces that people can love and live with for a lifetime.
My work is mainly sculptural clay bodies, but I also explore the relationship between furniture and clay and push the limit of the lines it creates. One of my favorite pieces to date is a Media Console – Revelle, which has six gold-leafed feet that are all a bit different from the last. Heightening the uniqueness and one-of-a-kind nature that comes with clay. While the body was hand-carved from solid maple wood. A console inspired by the nature and mood of clay.
A large part of my inspiration comes from the people in my life. Inspired by the way people interact with others and the energy they create. The good and the ugly. Creating is an outlet and the way I feel I am truly able to express myself.
What were you like growing up?
Ha, my mother would love this question. I’m sure she would say curious, which I wouldn’t disagree agree. I would also add Happy. I loved everything about the way I grew up. It was the most loving environment, a very full house with my parents and three siblings. There was a lot of love. I was never not outside, growing up on a beautiful lake in a tiny-tiny town in Florida. I spent my days wakeboarding, tubing, and just playing with my siblings and our neighbors. Either at the lake, driving to the beach, or the Florida Keys to snorkel, dive, or lobster. Interested in anything and everything related to the water.
My other interest, that I can thank my mother for, is traveling. My mom took my sister and I on many trips across the country as well as abroad. The most notable was a backpacking trip through Europe visiting places like Sweden, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, and the UK. Going to museums, seeing historic buildings, and experiencing different cultures and food. Made me who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: annewebercallahan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annewebercallahan/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annewebercallahan
