‘Bread-side tables' exhibit features tables made of vintage bread boxes

NEWTON — An exhibit of “bread-side tables” by artist Steve Butler runs through Sept. 29 at TraillWorks in Newton. A meet the artist reception will coincide with Newton’s Tour of Art, from 5 to - 8 p.m. on the second Saturday, which is Sept. 12. These quirky pieces of furniture Butler calls “bread-side tables” reuse vintage metal bread boxes and ottoman legs of the post war industrial era. Though wood is his primary material, Butler, the department head of woodworking at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, has been collecting bread boxes for several years. Related to his interest in the modern movement as a furniture designer, “they’ve fueled the artist’s recent interest in giving new life to an old object or transforming the object into something else, creating a duality in use and purpose,” organizers said. Available in all shades of the pastel rainbow and some with chrome or copper facings, Butler has created quite a range of choices to pick from. His collection features the vintage Lincoln beauty box bread boxes. Instead of calling them bedside tables, Butler calls them “bread-side tables” because of their similarity in height of a contemporary bed. As a furniture maker, Butler has been creating artwork for over 20 years. He exhibits his work throughout the U.S. and Canada and has been featured in various magazines and publications such as Lark Book’s 500 Chairs and 500 Tables. Butler's “bread-side tables” have inspired TraillWorks’ owner, Jennie Traill Schaeffer, to paint some of the bread boxes. Known for her vivid paintings of kitchen appliances and wedding cakes, Schaeffer is an expert at painting reflections. From 3 to - 4 p.m., Schaeffer will give a free painting demonstration - “Reflecting on Reflections: Painting Shiny Surfaces.” For more information, visit www.traillworks.com or call 973-383-1307.