Brandy Clements & David Klingler

Silver River Center for Chair Caning is the nation’s only chair weaving school & museum. They thrive on building community in through their work in Southern Appalachia and by connecting chair nerds across the globe. The school is an official Education Center of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and Brandy is a 4th generation chair weaver.

David and Brandy are excited to announce the publication of The Woven Chair, Traditional and Modern Seat Weaving in 2025 by Blue Hills Press. The book can be purchased through Peerless Rattan and other small family owned suppliers, as well as the usual online outlets, and of course on their website, www.SilverRiverChairs.com

Brandy & Dave teach in person and online at their shop, at various craft schools like Arrowmont and John C Campbell Folk School, and at museums, conferences, woodworker and fiber groups, public schools and galleries. Classes range from 1 day to 2 weeks and cater to all levels of weavers. After 20 years of full time restoration work and because they want to focus on educating the masses, Brandy and Dave are being a little more selective about their restoration work but will gladly refer you to another local weaver if they aren’t able to help. For classes or for restoration inquiries, please email a photo of your chair to [email protected] or text a photo to 828-707-4553.

The museum is open by appointment Mon-Fri 10-5 and some weekends. Witness an astounding collection of Corn Shuck chairs, historic Western North Carolina chairs, mid-century goodness, an impressive collection of #canespotting objects and ephemera, process exhibits, a green woodworking exhibit and their latest acquisition, a NYC Subway bench with woven rattan fabric. Sit a while and study up via their chair library. Learn about broommaking in the ever expanding handmade broom nook! Sales of Chair Nerd T-shirts help keep the museum free for the education of the masses.