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Thread: Schools with long courses
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20th January 2024, 10:34 AM #1SENIOR MEMBER
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Schools with long courses
Hi all,
Been a long time since I've been on the forums - my job has mostly kept me out of the workshop for a while.
But I'm considering taking a career break in 2025 or 2026 and spending some time trying to improve my workshop skills. Are there other reputable schools out there with long courses (at least a semester) like Sturt? Can be in Oz or even international. Bonus points if they can also teach other things too (a little metal or glasswork for instance).
Danny
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20th January 2024 10:34 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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20th January 2024, 04:48 PM #2
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.
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20th January 2024, 05:36 PM #3SENIOR MEMBER
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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!
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20th January 2024, 07:46 PM #4
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20th January 2024, 11:29 PM #5
North Benett St School
Port Townsend School of WW
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21st January 2024, 12:18 PM #6SENIOR MEMBER
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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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Many thanks, they both look worth investigating!
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23rd January 2024, 06:56 PM #7
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.
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23rd January 2024, 07:19 PM #8SENIOR MEMBER
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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!
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24th January 2024, 04:34 PM #9
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.regards from Alberta, Canada
ian
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24th January 2024, 05:48 PM #10SENIOR MEMBER
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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!
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24th January 2024, 11:22 PM #11
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.
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4th February 2024, 02:51 PM #12
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 Classesregards from Alberta, Canada
ian
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4th February 2024, 03:05 PM #13SENIOR MEMBER
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Thanks Ian! Didn't even know they ran courses there.
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26th February 2024, 09:20 PM #14
Nelson NZ - School of Fine Woodworking
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.
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27th February 2024, 05:52 PM #15Senior Member
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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
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