As a U.S. based manufacturer, we here at Oneida Air Systems place great significance on the long tradition of American craftsmanship that has made our country great. As a company we try to uphold these principles and apply them to our products every day - That's why we created the Future Craftsman Scholarship program.
Each year $1000 is awarded to each art program at North Bennet Street School, OCAC, and RIT, to foster and support students who are studying to be the next generation of American Craftsmen. Students are selected based on their skill mastery, their love for their work, and their dedication to the craft as a career path.
Oneida Air Systems is proud to present our Future Craftsmen Scholarship winners for 2015! Check below to learn more or click here to see previous recipients.
Chris Littlefield
2015 Scholarship Recipient
Christopher Littlefield, a graduate of the North Bennet Street School cabinet and furniture making program, has been always been passionate about working with wood. As a child he started with a little hand-tool kit made for kids and worked his way up to power tools as he got older. After high school he tried a few different career paths and, after being laid off for the second time in two years, he decided to follow his passion and enrolled at North Bennet Street School.
Christopher plans to use the Oneida Air Systems Future Craftsmen Award to purchase much-needed tools and a new workbench and has already begun working on commission.
Will Whitehead
2015 Scholarship Recipient
As a rising senior, Will is moving into his thesis year in Wood BFA in 2015-16. He is from Santa Maria, CA and transferred to OCAC in the fall of 2013 from Allan Hancock College. Will Whitehead has been a model student and made key contributions to the Wood program over the last two years.
It makes me happy knowing that a company in the industry would reach out to prospective members of the craft community surrounding the trade of woodworking!
Carter Hopkins
2015 Scholarship Recipient
Carter is a woodworking student at RIT and has a background in fine art. He studied painting prior to joining the graduate program in Furniture Design and he brings an interesting perspective to his ideas in furniture.
