Wood Is Not Here:

to reward your ego
to compete with you
to make you fail
to punish you

Wood Is Responsive:

to who you are
to how you feel
to what you think
to what you do

Wood Is Here:

to enable you to learn
to make you a better person
to bring peace to your soul
to bring beauty into this world…;

Studies

2023
Studies in “Wood Packet Marquetry” with Wayne Delyea
Austin School of Furniture and Design
Austin, Texas

2020
Studies in “Wood Inlay” with Mark Borman
Heritage School of Woodworking
Waco, Texas

2020
Begin virtual studies in “Furniture Making & Design” 
with Tom and Kris McLaughlin. These studies/courses continue to date.
Epic Woodworking
Canterbury, New Hampshire

2017
Studies in “Furniture/Chair Making” with Charles Brock
Charles Brock School of Furniture 
Spring Hill, Tennessee

2016
Studies in “Joinery/Wood Science” with Stan Beckworth
Heritage School of Woodworking
Waco, Texas

Awards/Recognition

2024
District 24 State Senator Pete Flores presented a signed Texas State Senate Proclamation recognizing M.L. Bolton for his excellence in furniture design and craftsmanship and for his contributions to the field of furniture making in the State of Texas.

2023
Juried into the "Texas Furniture Makers Show & Sale"
Category: "Traditional " Furniture
Awards:    "Best in Traditional Furniture for Design/Craftsmanship

2022
Juried into the “Texas Furniture Makers Show & Sale”
Category: “Contemporary” Furniture
Awards: “Judges Special Award for Design/Craftsmanship”

2021
Juried into the “Texas Furniture Makers Show & Sale”
Category: “Traditional” Furniture
Awards: “Society of American Period Furniture Makers
Award” – Excellence in Period Furniture

2021
Featured in the “Australian Wood Review” magazine
Editor: Linda Nathan
Sydney, Australia

2021
Juried into the “Maker of the Year” – International Furniture 
Making & Design Competition  
Category: “World” – Furniture 
Awards: “Commended”

2019
Juried into the “Texas Furniture Makers Show & Sale”
Category: “Apprentice” Furniture
Awards: “Third Place”

News/Exhibitions:

2023
Gallery Exhibit: Kerr Arts & Cultural Center
November 2, 2023 thru December 15, 2023
Executive Director:     Lanza Teague
Kerrville, Texas

2023
Featured with cover image and article in the "Belton Journal"  newspaper- Volume #157 - Issue # 48

2023
Featured with cover image and article in the "Temple Daily Telegram" newspaper - Volume #117 - Issue #16
(CLICK TO READ ARTICLE)

2023
Featured with cover image and article in “The Belton Journal” – January 26, 2023 – Volume # 157 – Issue #4

2023
Please make note that my email address has been changed from mlbolton@valleyartsstudio.com to mlbolton@mlbolton.com . All other contact information remains the same as shown on this website

2022
Gallery Exhibit: Kerr Arts & Cultural Center
November 3, 2022 thru December 17, 2022
Executive Director: Lanza Teague
Kerrville, Texas

2021
Gallery Exhibit: Kerr Arts & Cultural Center
November 4, 2021 thru December 18, 2021
Executive Director: Lanza Teague
Kerrville, Texas

2020
Retail Exhibit: Pieces by Jo
November 1, 2019 thru January 29, 2020
Owner: Alma Johnson
Temple, Texas

2019
Gallery Exhibit: Kerr Arts & Cultural Center
October 31,2019 thru December 14, 2019
Executive Director: Lanza Teague
Kerrville, Texas

2017
Built and opened current furniture workshop
2110 North Beal Street
Belton, Texas