Our Furniture Intensive students are beginning the sixth week of their twelve-week program, and their second project is already well underway. Here in mid-coast Maine the weather is (slowly!) changing from winter to spring, and the longer daylight hours seem to mean longer hours in the shop for this dedicated group.
On a walk through our turning studio on any given day, you may hear loud laugter and be forgiven for thinking that no work could possibly be getting done around here. How could there be, when there are so often groups of students sharing a belly laugh with their instuctor, Beth Ireland?
The Messler Gallery is exhibiting the work of alumni and fellows through early April. This juried exhibition showcases an impressive array of work from both former students and former studio fellows. For an overview of all of the pieces in the show, please visit the exhibition page. Better yet, come visit the exhibit before April 5th!
Guest instructor Bruce Beeken has recently joined lead instructor Aled Lewis in the Nine-month Comprehensive for the curvature portion of the course. Over the span of 5 weeks, students are exposed to steam and laminate bending, as well as a range of other curve-forming techniques.
The Annual Yankee Swap Potluck is always a highlight of the year. Students have been working like crazy to finish their casework projects, and the facilities and administrative staff are at their busiest simultaneously wrapping up 2016 and preparing already for the 2017 workshop season.
Many woodworkers have strong opinions about the role of computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) as it relates to craft. Where some see an essential step toward progress, others feel a threat to the importance of working by hand. Here at the school, we are all about merging creativity with technical skill, and we want to give our students as many tools as possible to achieve that balance.
Happy Veterans Day! Our Turning Intensive, Furniture Intensive, and Nine-month Comprehensive programs are approved for the use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits.
Here are our veterans currently on campus, along with Student Services Manager Dorrie Higbee. As the school's VA Certifying Official, Dorrie says, “It is an honor and privilege to work with all of our Veterans to facilitate their enrollment at the Center.”
