THE CABINET MAKER
a documentary film
written and directed by
Adewole Abioye
The Cabinet Maker is a documentary film chronicling the life and work of late Chicago craftsman, Lawrence D’Antignac. Locally, he was known as “Mr. Dan.”
The lifelong woodworker planted his seeds in 1941 while living in the Ida B. Wells housing projects on Chicago’s south side. Those seeds blossomed into Mr. Dan’s studio, The Wood Shop and, later, his art gallery in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood.
“There were no Black galleries serving African Americans, Island artists, or Haitian artists,” his son Brian says. “This was the beginning of black artists making a living off their skills.”
Drawing from memory, personal photographs, and archival materials, The Cabinet Maker paints a revealing portrait of family, community, labor, and loss – an offering of universal messages of love and determination for humanity.
In the 60-minute film for PBS, Mr. Dan reflects on his childhood and formative years, introduction to woodworking, time as a U.S. Marine stationed in Korea, and his South Side gallery, The Wood Shop – a cultural institution that has celebrated Black life through art in Chicago’s Chatham community for nearly 50 years.
With media depictions of gang violence and little resources, few people visualize Chicago’s south side as a breeding ground for creativity, artistic progress and strong community.
The Cabinet Maker’s story of tangible progress in the arts and education intends to move the public toward recognizing the arts and Chicago's south side in ways they have not envisioned, inspiring locals and tourists alike to visit and broaden their perspectives, understandings, and investments.
Please enjoy this 10-minute rough-cut to consider supporting The Cabinet Maker.
To learn more, donate or sponsor, contact:
Ira David Levy, Executive Producer
312-255-8050