Justin Roberts began his journey onto a path less traveled in 2012 when he moved into a small farmhouse with a red tin roof. There, Justin studied under George Anderson Beard, Master Artist of folk art of bentwood willow furniture. Through his research into the origins and uses of Salix, he established Walk the Willow in 2014.
Throughout his experiences, Justin has developed an ecocentric philosophy and applies these concepts to all he does. He has been a featured speaker at the Furniture Society of America, has been featured in the National Basketry Association’s Magazine, and has won awards for his willow furniture craft. In 2019, he branched into art for social change and large sculptural work at the Bernheim Artist Residency and through a residency at the Josephine Sculpture Park.
During the pandemic, Justin served his community by crafting nine food pantry boxes. He also used this time to focus on the “Neverending Fence.” He looks forward to continuing his art for social change work through the New South Arts Initiative, a nonprofit to support and grow bio and cultural diversity. In addition, he is working on establishing a working willow farm powered by willow biomass, where the lost art of willow furniture will thrive for another generation.