Craig Kassan
Franklington, NC | Exhibiting Since 2023
Ever since I can remember I have been involved with some form of art or another, and give a great deal of credit to my grandfather. He always helped with my wood projects and had a meticulous attention to detail that he passed along. At the age of eight, we built a working toy wooden sailboat together. Granddad always made sure I got to the art store if needed, and encouraged and supported me with all my projects. Selling my first pen and ink when I was 13, I continued on and experimented with other mediums including oils, acrylics, and pastels.
My grandfather always felt I should pursue a career in woodworking but I was afraid of loosing my passion for it. Instead I followed a career in the animal field where I became the dietitian for the Jacksonville Florida Zoo. While working there, I discovered the local community theatre where I began volunteering backstage, building sets, and running props. During this time I learned quite a bit about design and went to work for several different high end furniture and cabinet shops. Eventually in 1989 I decided to start my own custom furniture business, giving me more control over the designs, and the quality of the work as well.