About Us
Through a safe, inclusive environment and challenging courses, the Vermont Woodworking School fosters a creative community and educates the next generation of fine furniture makers in hands-on programs that teach both traditional and contemporary woodworking techniques executed at the highest level.
We offer a semester-based Immersion Program where students gain a deep understanding of fine woodworking and furniture-making. We also offer short-form workshops for those looking to dip their toes in the craft.
Vermont Woodworking School was founded in 2007 by Carina Driscoll, Blake Ewoldsen, and Robert Fletcher. VWS graduates have gone on to work at companies like Vermont Farm Table, Shackleton-Thomas, Birdseye, and Thos. Moser; other graduates have started their own shops; and some have been accepted into highly acclaimed graduate programs such as Rochester Institute of Technology, Savannah College of Art and Design, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Pratt Institute.
Catherine & Jared completed the Immersion Program in 2018 and together founded a custom furniture company, Towards Nightfall. After two years running Towards Nightfall, Catherine and Jared returned to the Vermont Woodworking School as Director and Director of Operations.
Catherine Emil
Director
She/Her
Catherine is dedicated to ensuring that all students get a top-notch education and leave school with a love of woodworking. Catherine directs the school's day-to-day operations, provides strategic planning oversight, and fosters the organization's partnerships. Before coming to Vermont, Catherine worked in the cultural sector in New York City. She graduated from Dartmouth College.
Jared Williams
Director of Operations
He/Him
Jared is passionate about educating the next generation of woodworkers. You can find him walking around the shop all day long giving helpful advice at student benches. As Director of Operations, Jared ensures that the facility runs smoothly and that all tools and materials are available when needed. Before moving to Vermont, Jared honed his woodworking skills and craftsmanship in Nebraska and Texas.
Bob Bortree
Immersion Faculty
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Bob’s career in woodworking spans more than 35 years, including a degree in furniture making and design from Boston’s North Bennet Street School. He has worked extensively in design, construction and finish techniques covering a wide range of styles and projects. He has also been instrumental in the execution of architectural design pieces for some very exciting homes.
Brett Kincaid
Industrial designer/Immersion Faculty
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Brett is a lifelong inventor, designer, and maker with 30+ years of professional furniture experience. A graduate of RISD’s Industrial Design program, his career spans working for talented makers around New England to co-founding a small residential furniture company. From leading a large global furniture design studio for over a decade to selling handmade inventions at local markets. Most recently, Brett has spent five years teaching design at the university level. Brett is equally comfortable at the workbench or computer and enjoys passing his knowledge to future makers in relevant and useful ways.
Jess Nelson
Immersion Faculty
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Jess’s love of woodworking began in their grandpa’s woodshop, where they spent much of their childhood helping with projects. Before moving to Vermont, Jess spent decades writing, recording, and performing music in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
Jess moved to Vermont to deepen their woodworking skills through the Vermont Woodworking School’s four-semester program. They also worked as a shop assistant, helping maintain the shops, and supporting fellow students with their projects. Upon completing the program, Jess received the school’s Robert Fletcher Award for community & integrity of character.
Today, Jess serves as the assistant teacher for Foundations 1 and co-teaches Design 1.
Mario Messina
Furniture Master in Residence
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Mario Messina is a Furniture Master in Residence at the Vermont Woodworking School. Mario teaches full-time at Vermont Woodworking School. A member of the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers, Mario is a Designer Craftsman whose work explores the union of function and art drawing inspiration from nature as well as other woodworkers, architects, and period styles. Messina’s work is an expression of our relationship to the natural world in the context of our home environment.
Shelby Statton
Immersion Faculty
She/Her
Inspired by years in furniture retail sales and by an intense love of functional art, Shelby started her woodworking journey in rural northern England at a small bespoke furniture making school called Waters and Acland. There, she developed her skills as a designer and maker. After returning to the Green Mountain State she started teaching and working out of the Shelburne Craft School, running a small commission business and teaching classes in everything from hand tool joinery to marquetry. Her work is mainly flatwork based, with an emphasis on exposed joinery, with a small influence from time spent studying in rural Japan.
Terre Morrison
Foundations
She/Her
After retiring from a 20+ year career in aviation, Terre stepped up to the next challenge by pursuing her life-long dream of woodworking. Terre graduated from the first class of the Vermont Woodworking School Immersion Program and now teaches in the Immersion Program, introducing students to fundamental woodworking and furniture-making skills and techniques. Terre is a thorough, supportive and patient instructor who moves mountains for students in their early semesters here.