Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
- 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Turning Night with Matt Iannacci: an open studio for your own wood project
A project idea is the starting point for Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci. Rather than making one assigned object, participants spend the three-hour session at the lathe working on their own designs, with Iannacci helping with setup and technique.
Choose the work before the wood
The session is intended for people who have taken a woodturning workshop at Contemporary Craft or have other experience using a wood lathe. It offers a chance to pursue a personal project alongside fellow turners, with an instructor available to help put that idea into practice.
Think about the piece you want to make when deciding what blank to use. The studio offers a small selection for sale, including pen, spindle and bowl blanks; participants can also bring their own wood blank for a more specific project. The wood is a separate consideration from tuition, not a stated inclusion.
Further reading: Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗ · Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci Tickets, Wednesday, November 4 • 6 PM - 9 PM | Eventbrite ↗
An instructor who works across forms
Iannacci has more than a decade of woodturning experience. His turned work includes vases and urns, while his flatwork includes jewelry boxes and frames. He often combines different wood species to bring variations in color and texture into a piece.
He also invented the JS3 jig for setting up compound-angle cuts used in splayed-stave woodturning or boxes with leaning walls. That is part of his own practice, not a promised exercise for the evening; participants choose what they work on.
Further reading: Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗
Planning the session
Wednesday evening at Timmons Studios
November 4, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Contemporary Craft – Timmons Studios, 5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201.
Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗ · Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci Tickets, Wednesday, November 4 • 6 PM - 9 PM | Eventbrite ↗
Tuition and materials
Tuition is $45; register through Eventbrite. Bring a wood blank or buy one separately from the studio’s small selection.
Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗ · Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci Tickets, Wednesday, November 4 • 6 PM - 9 PM | Eventbrite ↗
Three-business-day notice
Student refund requests must be made at least three business days before class, and a $25 cancellation fee applies. If Contemporary Craft cancels for insufficient enrollment, it says the entire class fee will be refunded.
Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗
Getting to Timmons Studios
Entrance and accessibility
The workshop is at 5688 Butler St., not the Raphael Building at 5645 Butler St. Timmons Studios’ main entrance is on Butler Street, and an accessible entrance is around the corner along 57th Street. For accommodation requests, call Contemporary Craft at 412-261-7003.
Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗ · Visit or Contact Us - Contemporary Craft ↗
Transit and parking
Contemporary Craft lists public transit routes 87, 91 and 93, and street parking on Butler and 57th streets. An accessible parking space is at the Raphael Building’s front lot; because space is limited, the organization asks visitors to call ahead.
Before you make a plan
Do I need to have taken a class at Contemporary Craft?
No. A previous Contemporary Craft woodturning workshop qualifies, but other experience using a wood lathe also meets the stated requirement.
Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗ · Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci Tickets, Wednesday, November 4 • 6 PM - 9 PM | Eventbrite ↗
Will everyone make the same object?
No. Bring a project idea of your own; Matt Iannacci will guide participants through setup and technique.
Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗
Is a wood blank included in tuition?
A blank is not listed as included. You can bring your own or purchase one from the studio’s small selection.
Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗
What happens if I need to cancel?
Request a refund at least three business days before class. Contemporary Craft charges a $25 cancellation fee.
Turning Night! Guided Open Studio with Matt Iannacci - Contemporary Craft ↗
Location & Google Maps
Contemporary Craft – Timmons Studios
5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.