Woodworker: Peter Van BeckumVan Beckum, who grew up in a Wisconsin farming community and studied agronomy in college, traveled east in 1980 to look into Boston University’s Program in Artisanry. Finding it to be “all about creativity” and seemingly “lackadaisical about craftsmanship,” he was disappointed. Before leaving Boston, however, he visited NBSS, and “instantly wanted to go there,” he says. “I loved their fussiness about tools and technique.” Van Beckum has been making furniture ever since in styles that range from Windsors to contemporary pieces. His Art Moderne table, in black walnut and curly black walnut veneer, with cast brass feet and brass banding, is 75 in. dia. by 30 in. tall.