Thirty-five years ago, architect John Connell decided it was time to proactively connect designers, builders and inhabitants of the built environment. The result: Yestermorrow Design/Build School, whose name sprang from a desire to synthesize yesterday's dedication to craft and beauty with tomorrow's technologies and materials.
Since then, more than 7,500 resolute explorers of all things design/build have completed more than 2,000 unique Yestermorrow course offerings. This year, after three-and-a-half decades – as well as miles of tracing paper, tons of screws and nails and acres of sawdust – countless designers, builders and dwellers are inspired to collaborate on creating a better designed and more sustainable world.
Help celebrate the fulfillment of this unique vision by joining former and future students, instructors and friends and neighbors from near and far for Yestermorrow's 35th anniversary celebration, Saturday, July 18, beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free! All are welcome. This is a good chance to explore Yestermorrow and learn what it has to offer for artisans, builders, hobbyists, designers, homeowners and others – if you don't already know. You can RSVP at yestermorrow.org or 496-5545, or just show up Saturday evening.
Schedule of Events:
5 to 6 p.m.: Arrival, tour the campus, special reception for Yestermorrow donors.
6 to 7:30 p.m.: Circus arts; the YesterOlympics; the Phantom food truck, Northern Fire & Slice wood-fired pizza, The Sweet Spot ice cream, local brews, wine and beverages.
7 to 7:30 p.m.: Welcome, toasts and awards.
7:30-11 p.m.: Storytelling, Eames Brothers Band.
There will also be Design Colloquium led by Yestermorrow founder John Connell from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the Main Studio. Join John and a panel of designers for an in-depth discourse about design as a practice and how to make design conversations more accessible and active.
Yestermorrow Design/Build School was founded in 1980 on the belief that the best built structures, furnishings and environments depend on the joint cooperation of designers, builders and occupants. The school empowers students to develop skills through an integrated design/build process and to "think with their hands" whether building a chair or designing a house. Yestermorrow's hands-on two-day to two-week workshops and longer certificate and semester programs are taught by nationally recognized architects, builders and craftspeople and are for people of all ages and experience levels.
For course information go to yestermorrow.org.
