The Waterford Foundation is pleased to recognize Justin Kauffman as the 2019 Demonstrating Artisan of the Year! Since you will not be able to visit Justin in person to see his work, please take a few minutes to read his bio and visit his page.

Justin Kauffman, craftsman and owner of Kauffman Fine Furniture, was born and raised in northern Indiana. He studied Bible and Religion at Anderson University during which time his love for creating furniture began in the small shop of his wife’s grandfather. He went on to study Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, just north of Boston, while he continued to design and build furniture.

After completing two master’s degrees at GCTS, he decided to pursue furniture making. He enrolled at the oldest trade school in America, North Bennet Street School, in their renowned Cabinet and Furniture Making department. It was there that he refined his craft through the study of the tools, methods, joinery, and design used during the 18th century, which was the pinnacle of American furniture. Since the opening of Kauffman Fine Furniture in 2007, Justin has been building formal period furniture for clients across the country and, over the years, has been recognized nationally as crafting some of the finest authentic period furniture being commissioned today. Justin now lives and works in Noblesville, Indiana with his wife, Audra, and sons, Daniel, James, and Joel, where he designs and builds period furniture.