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John Hatlestad has 26 pieces of furniture and sculpture featured in an exhibit called “Archetype and Invention,” which runs at the Chicago Mosaic School through September 30th.
The exhibit’s opening reception was attended by several hundred people and it continues to draw foot traffic. Several sculptures, hutches, tables and mirrors are among the items Hatlestad has on display.

When he creates a piece he likes to combine organic materials with used “junk” that other people may throw away. If a piece is dented or worn, he is interested in using it. His Grayslake worshop on North Route 83 is filled with found objects, like bobbins from old weaving machines and the locks to old Chinese temple doors.

“I love the aspect of using found stuff and giving it another life,” Hatlestad said.

He works with clients mostly from the North Shore, including Highland Park, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, but he also has clients from California, New York and Texas. Depending on the piece, his work sells from $300 to $10,000.

Hatlestad’s personal creativity dates back to his childhood. As a young boy in Minnesota he was always making things like forks and rubberband guns. Working with his father, he bought old bicycles and used their parts to make new ones. Later on he taught art for a year before starting to design furniture – and has made a successful career of it since.

His work has appeared in a number of shows and fairs and he hopes to take the “Archetype and Invention” exhibit to other galleries in the future. “I like my furniture to do something other than look good. We’ll make it work, then we’ll make it beautiful,” Hatlestad said.

Source: Suburban Chicago News