WILL BAYLISS
Helen Gerry
14/10/1998 – 10/11/2024
Recipient of the 2020 Scholarship for the Michael Fortune Residency Programme
Technician & Teaching Assistant 2024 Residency Programme
With a very heavy heart we share in our sadness that we have lost one of the most talented and brightest stars in the world of furniture making and fine woodworking here in the southern hemisphere.
Will was a truly gifted maker and achieved more in his short life than other makers would hope to achieve in a lifetime.
Will’s first visit to us here in 2020 was when he was awarded the prestigious and inaugural scholarship to attend Michael Fortune’s residency programme beating over fifty other applicants for the place and was by far the youngest.
Within the first few days we could all clearly see that although quiet and humble Will was a gifted craftsman with immense natural talent and without a doubt was born to make.
Will returned earlier this year to be an integral part of the 2024 Michael Fortune Residency - still humble but clearly his rare talent for making, the way he so willingly shared his knowledge and encouraged his fellow students was all part of what made Will such a well-respected young man.
Will, we will miss you enormously - it was a privilege to have known you. Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai rā, e hoa - We hold you in our hearts
‘Bunyjul’
Occasional Table Ebonised American Cherry 1190mm x 405mmx 837mm NFS
This was the last piece of work Will made The memorial tree is a Matai.
Will’s favourite New Zealand native timber. It will be planted in the grounds of the wood school.
Participant in the Centre for Fine Woodworking’s Emerging Tutor Mentoring Project generously funded by
‘Bunyjul’ Occasional Table Ebonised American Cherry 1190mm x 405mmx 837mm