Stairways - From France to Seattle

From France to Seattle

One Year with the Compagnons…

I am a new employee of Seattle Stair and how I wound up here has been an amazing journey, which when I began, I always hoped that I would be working with such skilled, passionate and interesting people as I have found here.

In August of 2011, I was chosen as the first American to take part in an international fellowship exchange program at the Coubertin Foundation in Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse, France with the Compagnons du Devoir.  My 11 months there were filled with workshop training, art, computer drafting, architectural history, mathematics and cultural events and trips.  I learned as much about a wonderful country and culture as I did about my work.

Shawn, who was has been bringing in French Compagnons for several years to work and live in Seattle, has graciously given me the opportunity to become part of the team here and I am loving every day, as I continue to learn and develop into a talented craftsman.

Nicolas Esposito - Craftsman

http://www.coubertin.fr/

http://www.afcoubertin.org/11.html

Farewell to Arnaud

On Arnauds last day we held a Hawaiian BBQ. Because of the Visa restrictions we can only keep an intern from the Compangnons for 12 to 18 months. While we were so fortunate to have been able to have Arnaud for 18 months - the time passed so quickly. He is such a talented young man full of grace and personality.
He will be missed by all of us. We wish him well and hope to hear of his adventures whether in France or ?

Arnaud is pictured in the red shirt closest to the camera.

New Compagnon!

We are so happy welcome our newest intern Arnaud. He is from Paris and has been working on an Encyclopedia for Les Compagnons du Devoir prior to joining Seattle Stair for advanced training and experience. I have been working on the preparation of his Visa papers for the past few months and am quite pleased in his arrival.
Arnaud will spend the first day or so here in the shop getting his “bench” together and organizing his area of the shop. We then will orient him into an existing project to prepare him for the ultimate fabrication of some very complex wreathed sections of hand railing.
The Compagnon du Devoir is a craftsman's guild based in France that has origins nearly 1000 years old. Since 2003 we have been fortunate to be the only stair maker in North America that is recognized by the Compagnon du Devoir as a stage of professional training and development while these craftsmen are on their journey from apprentice to master. Arnaud is of the highest level of apprenticeship thus far. We look forward to imparting our knowledge and culture while learning from him and his experiences. It is this cross cultural exchange and passion for learning that I find to be a large part of the magic that is Seattle Stair & Design.

David – Seattle Stair & Design