Thread: Schools with long courses

Danny, you've obviously looked at Sturt, there used to also be one in WA but I think it may have burned down in a bushfire some years ago. There is a wooden boat buildng course in Tasmania, I think it's still going.
Its 22 years since I was at Sturt, but as well as the woodwork & design, we interacted with Paul Davis, who was teaching ceramics, and the Jewellery artist in residence offered to teach me a bit of metalwork. The problem was a lack of time. You are spending so much time on woodwork projects that you don't have time for much that isn't part of the curriculum. Having said that, I've noticed recent students are including metal, fabrics etc in their work, so if it's being taught or skills they have brought with them I don't know.

Thanks! Yeah given they run short courses in a variety of things and have studios for a few different crafts, there must be some options there.

We'll see how we go - sturt is a good starting point, but honestly if I'm going to live away from home base here in Brisbane for a year I am hoping I can find somewhere a bit more exotic than Mittagong!

Originally Posted by rtyuiop

but honestly if I'm going to live away from home base here in Brisbane for a year I am hoping I can find somewhere a bit more exotic than Mittagong!

option would be Seedknee or Milbbin

North Benett St School
Port Townsend School of WW

Originally Posted by Tonyz

option would be Seedknee or Milbbin

Hah yeah, don't think there is lots of crossover between exciting destinations for a medium term visit and craft schools. There seems to be a sad lack of fine woodwork classes on carribean islands, for instance!

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Originally Posted by Pac man

North Benett St School
Port Townsend School of WW

Many thanks, they both look worth investigating!

Danny, I would also have a look at the Centre for Fine Woodworking in Nelson, New Zealand.
The Centre for Fine Woodworking

Have a look at the work produced by both its tutors and its students.

It is on my shortlist - love NZ so it's certainly tempting.

Some great schools out there. Just need to decide if I can take the leap of doing 6 months or a year without income!

Danny,
To the suggestions you already have I'll add

Krenov School of Woodworking [California] -- where James Krenov taught The Krenov School of Fine Furniture

Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking [Canada] School — IPSFC (insidepassage.ca)
Standard Canadian tourist visas last for 6 months, but you can't work and I'm not sure about your ability to study. If you are serious about attending investigate getting a Study Visa which would let you work while you study. In my son's case his study visa lets him work part-time during term time and full-time during term breaks.

For schools in Australia other than Sturt, you could try
Phoebe Everill -- Phoebe Everill Furniture Making School - Woodworking Classes Melbourne Phoebe's school is located outside Melbourne and although not mentioned on her website she's a good teacher and may take on a self-funded intern. Ask her.
There's a number of woodworker teachers based in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, etc. Again, when or if you contact them ask about the possibility of becoming a self-funded intern.

Thanks Ian, added those to my list.

I have been half looking at some of the individual teachers around but I think I want a school with multiple people to learn from. Although there are definitely some highly regarded individuals out there teaching by themselves!

Originally Posted by rtyuiop

I have been half looking at some of the individual teachers around but I think I want a school with multiple people to learn from.

I strongly agree with you.

I went back to uni in my late 60's and did a fine arts degree majoring in furniture design. Students were required to constantly critique each others work and ideas. It was daunting at first, but after a while I began to look forward to the sessions, both the formal ones and the constant informal discussions in the workshops, classrooms and coffee shop. So many ideas; some crazy, some brilliant; they all help. The experience was invaluable.

Hi Danny

The following link was in my inbox yesterday.

Lie-Nielsen Wood School Reminder Series 1 & 2 - Essential and Joinery Skill Courses for March Concentrating on skills and uses of Timber, Layout, Marking, Sharpening, Sawing, using Planes and Chisels, and Joinery, these 2 courses will lift your skills immediately if you are new to the craft and even if you have been working for a while part-time, there is much to learn. We have 2 tutors for only six students, closely monitoring your progress. Booking Now, positions are still available. (Please note that Strathalbyn gets busy in March, so early booking for accommodation is recommended). All tools you will need are supplied. For more information click here for 2024 Classes

Thanks Ian! Didn't even know they ran courses there.

Hi Again Danny

Just received the latest issue of Australian Wood Review magazine - March 2024 - and coincidentally has a major article on the School of Fine Woodworking in Nelson, New Zealand, focusing on last year's students. Lots of photos.

The student's work is superb! And that is not an exaggeration.

Danny,

In Australia it's really only Sturt. But it depends on your existing skill level and what you want to gain from going back to school.

In the US with regards to longer courses they have the Krenov/College of the Redwoods on the West Coast, and the North Bennet Street School on the East Coast...the former is more of a hippy/lifestyle approach with 1 year (i think) courses, whilst the latter is more traditional and 2 years long. I believe North Bennet Street School also have a course in historic building joinery which is of particular interest for those who are moreso into historic windows, doors etc.
If you want more exotic, then there is the Carl Malmsten school which is also known as the Capellagården in Oland, Sweden. This is a fantastic school and I actually know the man who builds workbenches for them but that is another story.

There are many other options, like informal and formal apprenticeships with particular craftsmen around the world. I know of people who spent a few years in Japan, and other who did the same in continental Europe - learning their craft from specific craftsmen.

It just depends if you want more of a crash course in some basic techniques, a philosophical lifestyle type course, or if you want to go into production of some sort and learn in a more so structured and pragmatic course.

None of them are right nor wrong, it is totally a matter of what you want to achieve.


Cheers,
Siggy