We’re excited to welcome Steve, the visionary founder and artist behind Happy Life Wood, for an exclusive Q+A session at Parsons School of Design.

Steve is a self-taught wood artist whose striking inlay sculptures seamlessly merge craftsmanship, storytelling, and contemporary culture. He was born and raised in Rochester, New York, where he still resides and has his studio. He started woodworking in 2018, and started experimenting with this artistic style until 2020. In 2024, he created his first three-dimensional realistic wooden inlay sculpture (no paint or stain). With a Bachelor's degree in graphic design, he worked in corporate marketing and design for over 25 years before starting his professional art journey.

His distinctive wooden artworks have captured the attention of global audiences—garnering millions of views and clicks across social platforms such as Instagram and TikTok—and have been commissioned by cultural icons and brands including A$AP Rocky, Jordan Poole, Jordan Brand and Carhartt.

During this session, Steve will discuss his evolution from an independent maker to a globally recognized artist, navigating brand partnerships, scaling his craft, and infusing cultural narratives into his work. Students will have the opportunity to engage in an open Q+A and gain real-world perspectives on entrepreneurship, design, and artistic innovation.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of today’s most exciting creative voices bridging art, design, and culture. Please note that this event is open to exclusively to students.

Follow his work:

Instagram @happylifewood
TikTok @happylifewood