Our Team
The project team covers a wide breadth of artistic and technical talents, and collectively has hundreds of years of experience in their crafts. The team is particularly proud that all members are from the metro Minneapolis area.
Richard Helgeson
Design Lead, Furniture Maker
Richard Helgeson Furniture
Richard is a Minneapolis based furniture maker with 35 years experience in designing and making custom furniture. He studied woodworking, furniture making and design at Rycotewood College in Thame, England. He has completed over 30 liturgical commissions, placing work in churches around the Midwest and Canada. He shares studio space in a cooperative woodworking shop in South Minneapolis with several other members of the Baslilica team.
Richard develops Nick Markells project concept and design rederings into working shop drawings, and makes certain the pieces are constructed in accordance with Markell Studio’s vision and intent.
Jason Holtz
Construction Lead, Furniture Maker
J. Holtz Furniture
Jason Holtz began his journey as a craftsman nearly 30 years ago in Chicago, apprenticing under an old German who knew what the Guild system was about. Seeking further instruction, he spent time working at the shop of Jeff Miller, a renowned chair maker. Jason has been self-employed as a designer and maker since 2005. This background in both custom and production work has prepared Jason for almost any project.
Jason is responsible for determining how the pieces are constructed, including resolving fabrication issues.
Stephanie Lunieski
Furniture Maker
Lefty Design Co.
Craig Jentz
Project Manager, Furniture Maker
WoodZest
Craig is a creative wood artist who specializes in unique items that can’t be found on the market. Craig found his passion for making things with his hands as a child working alongside his home construction father. After a career in the corporate IT world, Craig now fills his retirement time by doing what he loves best.
As the project manager, Craig brings his corportate project, people and finance management skills to the project.
Stephanie is a Minneapolis-based furniture maker and designer. She studied her craft at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine and has been designing and building custom furniture as an independent woodworker since 2020. In addition to her studio practice, she teaches woodworking classes, sharing her skills and passion for craftsmanship with others.
Steph is assisting Richard, Jason, and Craig with furniture construction.
Erik Wyckoff
Wood Carver
Erik Wyckoff Woodcarver
Erik has worked full-time as a professional woodcarver for thirty years. The training he received from a European Master Carver in both carving and drawing allows Erik to design and execute projects in a wide variety of styles from Gothic to French Louis XV. Erik has created over two-hundred unique carved wood doors, dozens of mantels and numerous architectural elements for homes and churches across the country. He is honored to be a part of the Basilica project
Erik is carving the wings and cross on the Altar Table, the Sacred Heart on the Ambo, and the lilly tree in the center of the Urn Stand.
Amy Ouradnik
Gilding and Specialty Finishes
Aurora Decorative Finishes LLC
Amy Ouradnik is a Minneapolis-based gilder, decorative artist, and designer. She earned a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and founded Aurora Decorative Finishes LLC in 2002. Specializing in architectural gilding, verre églomisé, and antique mirror finishes, her recent projects include the Quadriga at the Minnesota State Capitol, the ASID Minnesota Pillsbury Castle, and the Salt Lake Temple. Amy currently serves as President of the Society of Gilders, an international organization dedicated to advancing the art of gilding through education and historic preservation.
Amy is applying gold leaf and colorants to Erik’s carving, and is accenting aspects of the pieces with gold leaf and/or specialty finishes.
Greg Flanagan
CNC Production
Tree on a Hill Workshop
Greg is a multidisciplinary artist, collaborator, and maker. As the son of a shop teacher, he has had his own workbench since he was 5 years old. His work bridges the gap between traditional woodworking and digital fabrication, drawing on his expertise with hand tools to computer-aided design and machining
Greg is responsible for designing and machining key moulding elements which are used across the pieces.
Willis Bowman
Mechanical Engineering and Metal Work
Bowman Engineered Models
Willis Bowman is a self-employed mechanical engineer for the medical industry by day and a woodworker and metal sculptor by night. He has a passion for building things that will excite the viewer, so it became natural to construct kinetic sculptures, large puppets, playgrounds and exhibits for museums in his spare time. Using his engineering skills with a playfulness leads to some fantastic pieces. He covets the design process above all the engineering steps.
Willis is designing and building the Altar Table’s steel inner frame, and incorporating the airlift movement mechanism into the frame.
David Osterberg
Upholsterer
Remnants
David is based out of Northeast Arts District in Minneapolis and has a degree in Environmental Design from Northern Michigan University and has an additional education through Minneapolis trade programs in upholstery and design. Working in the upholstery trade for 35 years, he has been fabricating custom pieces and restoring vintage classics as well as working with furniture designers helping them bring their designs to life.
David is designing, fabricating and installing the upholstery on the four chairs.
Erick and Rudy Gonzalez
Stone Fabrication
E.R.K. Granite and Marble Specialist LLC
Erick and Rudy have more than 20 years of experience designing, fabricating, and installing granite, marble and quartz countertops, vanities and bars for customers in the metro area.
Erick and Rudy’s team are fabricating the marble tops and arch insets for the Altar Table, Ambo, and Urnstand.