4 Full Scholarships (covers Tuition and Materials)

Applications Close: March 20
Notification of Award: Early April

Teacher: Jeff Lefkowitz

Assistant: Haniel Wides

Traditional post & rung chairs tend to have a somewhat boxy appearance and are often not very comfortable. This chair changes all that with beautifully curved, steam bent rear legs and slats that improve the appearance of the chair and at the same time make it a delight to sit in.

This seven day class will take you, step-by-step, through the process of hand crafting a 2-Slat Post & Rung Side Chair, inspired by the chair designs of Brian Boggs. Because class size is limited to four students, you get personalized instruction and can work at your own pace. Every process is broken down into small, manageable steps so that you can concentrate on mastering one task at a time before moving onto the next. Whenever a new process is introduced, especially for hand shaping, you are given the opportunity to practice on spare material before working on your actual chair part. In addition to showing you how, explanations always include why, so that you will understand underlying concepts and how each process fits into the big picture.

Who should apply: All applicants must identify as historically excluded or under-represented in the field of woodworking.

6 Full Scholarships (includes Tuition, Materials, and some meals)

Applications Close: May 15
Notification of Award: Mid-June

Teachers: Christopher Schwarz & Grace Ambrose

Build a comb-back stick chair using the materials and tools we have on hand – plus a variety of methods. Stick chairs are a vernacular form of furniture that was built by farmers or any non-professional woodworker. Stick chairs were built using the materials around the woodworker (green wood, dry wood, salvaged wood, found wood), and simple tools. Despite these limitations, stick chairs have a rugged beauty and a somewhat animalistic nature.

Who should apply: All applicants must identify as historically excluded or under-represented in the field of woodworking and should have an educational practice.

8 Full Scholarships (Covers Tuition)

Applications Close: May 31

Notification of Award: Late June

Teachers: Annie Meyer & LN Adams

This class is being held for folks who identify as trans or non-binary. Play with blending furniture and sculpture by making a three legged footstool. In this workshop participants will learn the basics of carving and shaping techniques while challenging their concepts of form and function. There will be an emphasis on design and expression. Participants can expect to leave with an assembled stool that can be finished at home.

Who should apply: Trans and non-binary applicants of all skill level are welcome.

5 Sliding Scale Slots Available (Full CMT Student Class)

Applications Close: June 18
Notification of Award: July 1

Teachers: Brandy Clements and Dave Klingler

Chair Weaving Intensive and Materials Study will cover 5 basic styles of weaving: rush, splint, shaker tape, machine woven caning and hand-woven caning. These styles can be easily adapted to new designs for chair makers, or easily accessible to novice weavers. Those interested in exploring more advanced patterns and materials will have the opportunity to do so. Some hard to find materials will be introduced but due to supply issues will be a group exploration/demonstration. Small footstools and weaving kits are available for moving beyond chair projects. A presentation on the history of chair weaving and business skills will also be covered. We encourage all participants to explore chair weaving for people in their community to further their skills and experience the variation in chair frame shape/construction elements and the ever present "oddball" chairs that inevitably pop up once you scratch the surface of the traditional craft. After the class, students are welcome to check in with us by sending photos of their projects and getting advice on technique, pricing, or other elements of the practice. Each student will recieve a copy of our seatweaving book, The Woven Chair.