Where salvaged wood becomes art

Circle Factory was founded in 1992 and is based in Brevard, NC. George's shop is set inside an old church, a space he shares with a handful of other artists. What started with a skater's restless energy turned into an award-winning career in wood sculpture, and thirty years later, he's still at it.

In The Studio

See how it's made. George Peterson hand-shapes reclaimed skateboard decks into one-of-a-kind wood art, right here in his Brevard, NC studio.

Video series courtesy of Blue Spiral 1, the Asheville gallery representing George's work.

Three colorful abstract geometric artworks on a gallery wall, with a label that reads 'SHRED. GRIND. CARVE. GEORGE PETERSON'
Recycled skateboard gallery art piece, one of a kind, Circle Factory studio.
Detail of an art gallery wood sculpture made from reclaimed skateboard decks.
George Peterson wood sculpture combining fire, paint, and salvaged skate decks.
This image shows two large collage artworks mounted on a gallery wall beneath a sign that reads "George Peterson: INREALLIFE." Each collage is composed of numerous small, colorful images arranged in a mosaic pattern, with a partial, circular cutout i
Close-up of three fine art gallery skateboards layered on top of each other with worn, cracked wooden decks, some with visible paint and scratches, and red and black wheels attached.
Two fine art skateboard sculpture shapes with painted in black on a white background, showing signs of wear and scratches.
Mixed-media wall panel built from used skateboard decks and reclaimed wood.
A close-up view of a broken wooden table top showing numerous cracks and splits in the wood.
Recycled skateboard art piece, one of a kind, Circle Factory studio.

THE ARCHIVES

Two early videos of George at work at Circle Factory.

Filmed, directed, and edited by Dan Hasegawa