Whitney studied at Pratt Institute, learning what he calls the “language of design.” Although he entered college planning to become a product designer, by senior year, he realized that was not his path. His redirection arrived during an unexpected moment on a date. Walking past a broken chair and a discarded broom handle, he realized he could rework them. Repair wasn’t a lesser act; it was creative reinvention. That moment shaped a philosophy that still guides him: nothing belongs in the landfill. Building furniture from discarded materials around Brooklyn became his passion, and he eventually ran a fabrication and art practice there for over two decades.
Today, his work blends multiple disciplines: carpentry, painting, plumbing, and, as he describes it with a smile, creative tinkering. Creative problem-solving like his doesn’t fit neatly into one category. Clients bring items into his shop. Other times, he visits their homes for small-scale projects. He can quickly tell whether something can—or should—be fixed. Expectations are discussed, and communication is direct. That clarity builds trust. In a field fraught with skepticism, Whitney sees integrity as part of the craft. Many clients who began with repairs now collect his art.
Salvaged materials often enter his art through relationships: he rescues wood from basements before dumpsters arrive, giving forgotten pieces a second life. Whitney’s “wood stories” clearly illustrate his philosophy, where grain, texture, and color carry memory and nostalgia. In his hands, those histories aren’t erased; instead, they’re reframed.
His recent show at Spring Street Gallery featured 33 works, most of which used repurposed materials. For Whitney, the significance isn’t just the sale, but what comes after: “One job or piece doesn’t matter much beyond itself,” he says. “But a show—those pieces go out and start conversations.”
At its core, his work asks a quiet question: What kind of effort are we willing to put in to keep something useful and working? Often, he argues, it’s less than we think. A bit of research or a conversation is enough. Sometimes, just a willingness to try will do.
Under the name General Fixit, Whitney now offers a repair concierge service from his space on Burgoyne Street. He designs, builds, and repairs, guided by a simple belief: most things don’t need replacing; they simply need attention. He tackles small projects and readies for future shows. Whether mending a hinge or turning salvaged wood into sculpture, his focus remains: make it work– and let it matter.
∅The next collaborative show Whitney’s works can be found in, ‘Reciprocity,’ opens April 26 from 2 to 5 p.m. The show will run through October 2026.
Follow on Instagram @MichaelWhitneyMaker.
