01 Jul July Featured Artisan of the Month: Kevin Fiorini

July Featured Artisan of the Month: Kevin Fiorini

Blending Craftsmanship, Character, and Care

Woodworking isn’t just a hobby for Kevin Fiorini—it’s a thread that has quietly run through the
fabric of his adult life. From his roots in the mental health field and ministry to his early stint as a
sand room foreman in a furniture factory, Kevin’s relationship with wood has been both a
creative outlet and a practical necessity. If something was needed, he built it. And over time,
that simple practice grew into a lifelong craft.

For the past 35 years, Kevin has been restoring a 1910 farmhouse—a true labor of love that
mirrors his approach to woodworking: patient, intentional, and deeply personal. Inspired by his
father, who was always fixing or building something around the house, Kevin developed a
hands-on philosophy early on. Whether constructing shelves, repairing furniture, or carving gifts,
his work is rooted in purpose and tradition.

In the early 1980s, Kevin began showcasing his handcrafted work at artisan shows, stepping
briefly into the world of craft fairs. But as life took over, his focus shifted to commissioned pieces
and meaningful gifts for family and friends. It wasn’t until he retired from ministry that he fully
returned to woodworking, embracing it with new energy and participating once again in juried
artisan shows.

It was a humble cherry log that sparked Kevin’s fascination with bowl making—a form that has
since become a signature of his craft. “What draws me to bowl making is how the wood itself
guides the process,” Kevin shares. “Each piece has its own character, and I allow that to shape
the final form.” Sourcing local hardwoods from already-fallen or harvested trees, Kevin respects
the natural origin of each piece, letting the grain, imperfections, and unique qualities of the wood
speak through his work.

Kevin’s handcrafted bowls and wooden pieces are a beautiful blend of art and utility, shaped by
decades of life experience, an eye for design, and a reverence for nature’s raw material. Every
item carries a story—not just of the wood’s journey, but of the hands that shaped it and the
homes it will touch.

You can explore more of Kevin Fiorini’s work in person at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center
& Marketplace in Abingdon, VA, or browse his collection online Here.

Learn more about Kevin and his journey through his ‘Round the Mountain Artisan Profile.

Join us in celebrating Kevin as our July Featured Artisan of the Month—a maker whose quiet
dedication to his craft continues to inspire and connect across generations.