EDUCATION IN THE APPRENTICESHIP TRADITION

We are a small New England woodworking and furniture-making school in a modern shop in a large, historic barn in Fairfax, Vermont.  We are committed to providing a thorough education for our students that includes extensive furniture-making techniques.  We strive to provide our students with exposure to the furniture-making industry and the variety of paths that lay ahead.  If you have a desire to accelerate your furniture-making ability our instructors can offer what you are looking for.  If you are completely green, we will start you with a furniture fundamentals course.  If you have experience, we will review the basics and provide you with the techniques and the mentoring you will need to build on your abilities right away. 

Our Immersion Program is designed for individuals who want to jump the learning curve, and dramatically elevate their skill level in a relatively short period of time.  We are able to accomplish this by keeping our program small, and offering extended hours access to the wood-shop.  Our students have the freedom to pursue their own goals, design their own projects, all while being offered full-time support and guidance by school Co-Founder, Robert Fletcher and our team of instructors.  We are allied with the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers to offer quality instruction.  Also, the program is interspersed with techniques instruction offered by resident artists and woodworkers and members of the Guild of Vermont Furniture-Makers.  Janet Collins, who comes to Vermont Woodworking School after running the Workshop Program at North Bennett Street School for ten years, teaches Inlay, Marquetry, Relief Carving and more.  Mario Messina, a member of the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers teaches Vacuum Bag Veneering and Creative Laminations.  Brian Bright, a graduate of R.I.T.’s Masters of Fine Arts Program, and Vermont Furniture-Maker, teaches designing with the aid of a computer, and joinery workshops.

Our many techniques, project-based and turning classes are designed for individuals who want to increase their skills.  Our popular Intro to Furniture Making Class is a great place to establish or refine the core skills for all furniture making.   We also have many classes taught by Janet, Bob, or members of the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers that can empower you with specific techniques that will elevate your abilities in the wood-shop.

We offer housing in our farmhouse, and in the silo housing unit, recently completed in June of 2010.  For more information about student housing go to our visiting or living here page.        

Join students from around the country coming to the Vermont Woodworking School to study furniture-making. 

Participate in a college curriculum created by BURLINGTON COLLEGE now offering an Associate of Arts in Craftsmanship and Design;  and Professional Certificates in Fine-Furniture Making,

Or take part in Vermont Woodworking School’s Immersion Program. 

For more information about Burlington College's programs, contact Gillian Homsted, the Admissions Director at Burlington College at 802-862-9616 or by e-mailing ghomsted@burlington.edu

Contact Us

phone: 802-849-2013, fax: 802-849-2045

US mail: 148 Main St., Cambridge, VT 05444

physical address: 148 Main St., Fairfax, VT 05454

info@vermontwoodworkingschool.com