Locale

The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship is located in the coastal village of Rockport, Maine, between Camden and Rockland. This is a beautiful vacation destination and a wonderful place to live. Explore Penobscot Bay from the deck of an historic windjammer or the intimacy of an ocean kayak. Canoe, fish, and swim in our many lakes and rivers, including famous Megunticook and nearby Chickawaukie. Hike in Camden Hills State Park, or drive to spectacular Mt. Desert Island. Visit the lovely fishing villages of Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde. Take a ferry to the quiet islands of North Haven, Vinalhaven, and Islesboro.

The Camden/Rockport area is also blessed with excellent restaurants, Bay Chamber Concerts, the Maine Media Workshops, and the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland. Those who like to shop will find an abundance of galleries, antique stores, and flea markets, not to mention L.L. Bean and Freeport outlet shops just over an hour away. For more information visit the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Camden Harbor
Camden Harbor

Lodging

Short-term Rentals

The best deal during the workshop season, from June through October, is a private room in a shared house, usually with a shared bath, for $385/week/person. These rooms are in private houses whose owners rent only to our workshop participants. All are clean, attractive, friendly situations between five and ten miles from the school. You can reserve a room when you register for your workshop or you may contact us later. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also, we can refer you to private apartments, cottages, motels, bed and breakfasts, and campsites. They are plentiful throughout the mid-coast area. However, we suggest you book your housing without delay, as this is a popular vacation area. We are always available to help you find what you need.

To reserve a private room/shared house, send us a $100 deposit. The balance will be due thirty days in advance of your course. If you cancel more than 30 days in advance your full deposit will be refunded. If you cancel less than 30 days in advance, you will forfeit your deposit and the full balance will be due.

Long-term Rentals

Long-term rentals are available to participants in the Intensives, Nine-month Comprehensive, and Fellowship program at reduced rates. Depending on the season, these range from $800-$1200 per month for a private apartment and, when available, approximately $700 per month for a private room in a shared house. To find out more about long-term housing opportunities, contact the school office. We are always available to help you find the housing you need.

Rockport Lighthouse
Rockport Lighthouse

Events

Two weekly events are scheduled during the Workshop season, from June to October.

  • On Monday evenings we meet for dessert and a faculty slide show at 7:00 p.m. (Temporarily suspended until further notice)
  • On Wednesday evenings we hold a potluck class dinner and croquet tournament, starting at 6:00 p.m. (Thursday evenings, in the event of rain on Wednesday)

Family and friends are welcome at both events.

 

Acceptance

Participants must be at least 18 years old. Every course description indicates the appropriate experience level for participation. If you have any questions, please call. For the Workshops and Intensives, admission is first-come, first-served. Applications are required for the Nine-month Comprehensive and Fellowships.

 

Weekly Schedule

  • Courses begin at 9:00 a.m. on Mondays and end on Fridays at 5:00 p.m.
  • Instruction is offered weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We break for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
  • The workshop buildings are open to students around the clock during their courses, with certain restrictions on machine use.

 

Materials Fees

Participants may purchase lumber and sandpaper at the Center for their furniture projects or may bring their own. We stock ash, cherry, maple, white oak, walnut, and poplar at normal retail prices. For courses where everyone uses identical materials—such as All About Finishing, Ornamental Carving, and Learn to Turn—a supply fee will be charged to cover the costs of shared materials. Upon registration, each student is sent a supply list which indicates the approximate supply fee, along with a list of tools to bring to the workshop.

 

College Credit

College credit for courses taken at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship is available through the University of Southern Maine. The number of credits is determined by the duration of the course and you must successfully meet the specific educational goals required. To apply for college credit contact:

Office of Prior Learning Assessment
253 Luther Bonney Hall, USM
Portland, Maine 04104
207-780-4663

 

Pets

No dogs or other pets are permitted on campus. The only exceptions are services animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilites Act.

Read the full pet policy.

 

Smoking & E-cigarette Use

Smoking and e-cigarette use are permitted on campus only in designated outdoor areas.

 

Getting Here

Click here for map and directions

 

Air Travel

Usually, participants fly into Portland (a 1½-hour drive away). It is also possible to fly into Knox County/Rockland Airport (15 minutes away), Boston (3½ hours) or Bangor (1¾ hours). Automobile rentals are available at all airports.