Leoni Montenegro at his woodshop location on Cascade Avenue in Hood River. He uses recycled wood from wine barrels for all of his projects. His works range from simple wooden tags to chairs, benches and tables. His shop is open Tuesday through Sunday. Montenegro says he is grateful for all in the community who have supported him so far and is excited for what's next.
Leoni Montenegro at his woodshop location on Cascade Avenue in Hood River. He uses recycled wood from wine barrels for all of his projects. His works range from simple wooden tags to chairs, benches and tables.
Leoni Montenegro at his woodshop location on Cascade Avenue in Hood River. He uses recycled wood from wine barrels for all of his projects. His works range from simple wooden tags to chairs, benches and tables. His shop is open Tuesday through Sunday. Montenegro says he is grateful for all in the community who have supported him so far and is excited for what's next.
Noah Noteboom photo
Leoni Montenegro uses recycled wood from wine barrels for all of his projects. His works range from simple wooden tags to chairs, benches and tables.
Noah Noteboom photo
Leoni Montenegro uses recycled wood from wine barrels for all of his projects.
HOOD RIVER — Leoni Montenegro has established himself as one of the premiere woodworkers in Hood River. In September he moved into his new woodshop on Cascade Avenue and has continued to grow in popularity by showing compassion for his customers and unique ability to craft furniture out of recycled wine barrels.
The Guatemala-native has been fascinated with design and craftsmanship from a young age when he would hang around the local “carpinteria” in his hometown of Guatemala City, Guatemala. Before he turned 10 years old, Montenegro recalled his first project. He wanted to build a “mini city” for his toy cars, so he would collect leftover scraps from the carpenter.
Leoni Montenegro at his woodshop location on Cascade Avenue in Hood River. He uses recycled wood from wine barrels for all of his projects. His works range from simple wooden tags to chairs, benches and tables.
Noah Noteboom photo
“The owner allowed me to be there almost everyday. Slowly, I started to see what they were doing there,” Montenegro said. “ [The owner] allowed me to start using some tools. It was always in heart to work with wood.”
Montenegro spent most of his childhood and adolescence in Guatemala, with brief stays in the United States. He graduated from the Institute Tecnico Vocacional with a degree proficient in construction drawing design. Post-graduation he worked in cosmetic design for about 15 years, but he wanted something more.
He met his wife, Ana Violeta, and together they raised four children. They had three daughters named Ana Ro, Lucia and Violeta and one son named Leo — short for Leoni.
During their childhood, Guatemala had high rates of crime and gang-related activities across the country and Montenegro experienced this first-hand. On multiple occasions he was forced to fight off kidnappers and escape hostage situations. Montenegro knew it was time to move on and he and his family decided it was time for a change. They relocated to Lancaster, Calif., where Montenegro’s sister, Maria Mendoza lived. Sadly, Maria passed away in September.
“She was the one who took us in when we came [to the U.S.],” Montenegro said. He expressed his gratitude for his family, especially, because without them he wonders if he would be where he is today.
Leoni Montenegro uses recycled wood from wine barrels for all of his projects. His works range from simple wooden tags to chairs, benches and tables.
Noah Noteboom photo
They resided in southern California for a few years before moving to Hood River and settling in with the help of friends from their church, the Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Montengro opened his woodworking business in 2011 and started crafting small tables, shelves, cutting boards, planters and coat racks — all from recycled wine barrels. People took notice right away. Remembering his humble beginnings when he came to the U.S. with just $50, he remains grateful for support from the community.
“When you are in difficult situations, it is sometimes hard to find somebody to help you,” he said. “I just want to say thank you to all the people that helped me.”
As he continued to hone his trade, he started making larger pieces such as his popular Winerondack chair, wine bottle racks, benches, light fixtures and full-sized wall art pieces. Eventually he expanded outside of his first location near the Hood River waterfront and began selling at the Portland Saturday and Sunday Market. He began to make a living off of his work and his influence began to extend outside of the United States.
Leoni Montenegro in his Cascade Avenue woodshop.
Noah Noteboom photo
“People from Europe and Africa came to the market and bought pieces from me. They came from all over to copy my designs. And for me that’s okay,” he said. “It’s okay because I am bringing [my passion] to someone else.”
You can see Montenegro’s passion at work at his woodshop at 2795 Cascade Ave. in Hood River from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The moment you walk in you are welcomed with the warm scents of black walnut and French oak. His display room is home to majority of his works, although he also displays some of his wine barrel furniture at the Art on Oak Gallery. Montenegro said is adapting his art to the current needs of consumers.
On select Winerondack chairs he has added built-on cup holders, phone mount and has plans to create an laptop stand extension. Montenegro does custom works as well. He has created clocks, wall fixtures and other intricate art displays.
Leoni Montenegro uses recycled wood from wine barrels for all of his projects.
Noah Noteboom photo
His website show images of his previous works, but you can also purchase some of his smaller works online that are available to ship all over the country. Larger products may require a custom order. For more information, visit his website at www.leonimontenegro.com.
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