Wyoming is a very small place in terms of population and, even though John Gallis lives a couple of hundred miles away in Cody, he's still practically a neighbor out here. The whole state has less than half a million people, which wouldn't add up to a decent city elsewhere.

I've been hearing about John for a few years now, mostly from other acclaimed Wyoming woodworkers like Mike Hemry and Mark Koons. During the summer, there was a great profile of John and his work in Woodshop News. Then, a few weeks ago, I covered the Western Design Conference for Woodcraft Magazine, and I finally got to meet the man in person.

The "Barry Desk" was executed in walnut and juniper with spalted maple drawer fronts and a big leaf maple pencil tray. It is 46" Wide x 30" Deep x 51" High.

You shake his hand and the word "intense" pops into your mind. He has what can only be described as New York energy - always moving, talking fast - and you immediately want to switch gears and try to keep up with him. This is a very likable guy. There's an uncloaked honesty about him that is so immediately obvious, you feel you've known him for years.

His work is astounding.
John uses indigenous materials to express our culture. While each piece is custom designed to fit an individual client's needs, its heart and soul are all Gallis. His heirloom-quality work is so recognizable that it has in many ways become the standard for this form. Year after year, it has consistently taken honors at the prestigious Western Design Conference, and has won national Design Portfolio awards.

John has been fashioning custom furniture for over twenty years. He was the senior designer for Bloomingdales in Manhattan before moving his studio to Cody. Each of his pieces is "handcrafted, based on the feel of the wood and the natural flow of the grain, so no two pieces are ever alike. Every piece has to be well thought out, well designed, and well constructed. It has to have grace, elegance, and style."

At right is his "Teton Settee", a fully upholstered loveseat in walnut and leather that measures 50" Wide x 32" Deep x 29" High. This piece won the 2000 Switchback Ranch Purchase Award and it is currently on display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody.

The piece entitled "A Woman's Work is Never Done" (shown at right) was built with African cherry and has juniper legs and trim. The paintings (see detail below) are by Tim Tanner.