Woodworking
Our goal in teaching woodworking is not to produce master cabinetmakers or carpenters but to create a curiosity in our students that has them question the how and the why of building and making.
In our program, independent, creative thinking is encouraged and developed. Students’ projects go through a process of research, drawing, and production. Original plans are often assessed, critiqued, and reworked before construction. The goal is to allow students the time and space to grasp concepts and then become creative, critical thinkers. Sequential and daily tasks enable students to develop skills and control of the material, tools, and machinery. Recent graduates have gone on to study woodworking at Savannah College of Art and Design and incorporate the craft into their everyday lives.
Blessed with 500 acres of mature forest, Dublin students get the joy of often working using lumber harvested from our land. In the end, the creative process results in a product of great utility and exquisite beauty.
Forest to finish
Forest to Finish gives students the opportunity to create artistic and functional pieces from local resources. Students learn about different species of wood and their use in furniture making and sculpture. You will learn to design your own work and then create pieces using hand tools and power tools.
Woodworking students build spoons, cutting boards, tables and other furniture, and myriad other projects. As you progress through the sequence of classes, skills of working in wood develop: from sketching to drafting by hand, model-making and design, you can master the steps toward building unique projects in wood honing your craftsmanship through the use of the various tools in the shop.
into the woods: Creative Design Projects
Collaborative teams build a structure in a natural setting using a blueprint of sustainable architecture. Students will learn construction techniques such as framework, door and window installation, as well as detailing, which can include fine woodworking and cabinetry. Sustainable choices for renewable energy technologies will be taught and incorporated to accommodate a low carbon footprint.
When students work on group projects, they communicate, share ideas, make decisions, delegate tasks, and participate in problem-solving.
Our next big project is a SAUNA for our Lehmann Boat House right on Dublin Lake!
Interdisciplinary Connections
An integral part of our woodworking curriculum is creating interdisciplinary connections. We teach about all aspects of wood as a medium, from grain and wood composition on a structural and biological level to function and aesthetic design. Math is utilized daily as students apply functions from geometry, algebra, and fractions. These hands-on applications allow students to make connections and apply their learning to creative problem-solving strategies. Through the hands-on process of woodworking, students make connections that create deeper meaning and give students ownership of their work and learning.
Woodworking Courses
- Woodworking I: Forest to Finish
- Woodworking II: Forest to Finish
- Into the Woods: Creative Design Projects
- Advanced Woodworking
Past Projects include:
A Tiny House, Renovating a bus into a Camper, Building a Shed for our Skating Pond, and more!
