Sean Springer of Spring Design Studio is First Artist in Residence of 2011

The Fairmont Dallas proudly announces Sean Springer of Springer Design Studio as the first Artist in Residence of 2011. Springer crafts furniture, home accessories and sculptures using salvaged wood creating purposeful, functional pieces from materials that would otherwise end up as waste.

Springer’s resume is a veritable journey through a series of high-profile internships and jobs, working for and learning from artists, each in a different craft, who shaped him and helped hone the skills that allow him to create poignant, consequential pieces. The deliberate edges, complimentary contours and fluid arches of Springer’s work are manifestations of his experience, which include a trip across the globe to study with renowned sculptor Zhang Yong Hao in Shanghai and an internship with iconic Dallas sculptor and landscape architect Brad Goldberg. He complements his profile with the possession of a degree from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI.

Springer’s furniture and sculptures need not more than a glance to see the marks of his craftsmanship. Everything from striking tables and chairs to unassuming hand-crafted home accessories such as cutting boards, coasters, bowls and serving utensils, take on an amplified role as artful representations of experiences in Springer’s life. Springer says, “Sculpture allows me to express my feelings metaphorically without words or lyrics. It embraces my curiosity for literal imagery, form and material.”

In 2008 Springer started Springer Design Studio, a business venture in making custom pieces for people’s homes and lives. His methods focus on the use of reclaimed wood, which he finds by patrolling the streets of Dallas in neighborhoods where tree-lined streets are a playground on tree-trimming days. “By repurposing wood that would otherwise be labeled municipal waste and sent to the landfill, Springer Design Studio provides the Dallas/Forth Worth area with a sustainable source of furniture, millwork and accessories,” said Springer.

Springer’s sustainability philosophy is befit with the hotel’s mission to operate with minimal environmental impact, an endeavor that has earned recognition for two years in a row by the Hotel Association of North Texas with the Green Hotel of the Year award. Shannah Milstead Director of Sales and Marketing at The Fairmont Dallas said Springer was an obvious choice as the hotel’s first artist in residence of 2011. “As we move into a new year and look to grow our Green Partnership program, it made sense to find a way to include the Artist in Residence in our initiatives. Sean demonstrates a true commitment to sustainability through his work and his interest in educating others about the subject of sustainability in art.”

Springer will be in residence from January 1, 2011 through March 30, 2011 during which time he will work on two lines of furniture, the Casa Linda FOG Wood collection and the Fairmont Residency collection. During the month of March, Ross Akard Gallery, located in the lobby level of the hotel, will feature an exhibit of Springer’s work with a closing ceremony on March 30, during which Springer will unveil a piece that will become a part of the hotel’s permanent collection. Springer’s regular studio hours will be Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For appointments outside of those hours, please contact Erica Martinez at 214-720-5211 or erica.martinez@fairmont.com. For more information on Springer Design Studio visit www.springerdesignstudio.com.

The Fairmont Dallas’ Artist-in-Residence program features breakthrough local and regional artists who reside in the hotel for three months at a time while working in an onsite studio located on the “O” level in the hotel’s south tower. Artwork created throughout the length of the artist’s stay serves various purposes – some is displayed in public areas of the hotel, others illuminate the hotel’s themed Arts District Suite and a number of select pieces benefit various philanthropic efforts.

Springer Design Studio Mission Statement

Springer Design Studio (SDS) creates refined, hand-crafted woodwork. Their mission is to divert wood from disposal as an act of reclamation. By repurposing wood that would otherwise be labeled municipal waste and sent to the landfill, SDS provides the Dallas/Fort Worth area with a sustainable source of furniture, millwork, and accessories. Currently in progress are two lines of furniture, one being the Casa Linda FOG Wood Collection, the other is the Fairmont Residency Collection.

Artist Statement

Springer Design Studio is discerning between sculpture and furniture; which is one or the other? A chair is a chair, while a sculpture may be a chair dancing. The product either way is a consequence of the process; an intimate dialogue between a material and a passionate artist who has a commitment to the craft of ideas.