Johannes Michelsen

Johannes Michelsen worked as a home builder and land developer in Vermont during the 1970s. He enjoyed working with wood and specialized in custom stair building, until an article about woodturner David Ellsworths hollow forms inspired him to become a vessel maker. He learned to turn green wood and produced bowls that distorted as they dried. In 1990, Michelsen attended a cowboy-style wedding and decided to make a turned wooden hat for the occasion. It was so well received that he now specializes completely in hats that can be either worn or displayed as pieces of sculpture.