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Pine Croft

Update on Spring 2021 Class Openings

By decommission

We’re getting nearer to our spring season at Pine Croft.  I want to share a quick update on the openings within our four classes:

  • Wooden Carrier class with Andy Glenn (April 10&11): full class, wait list started
  • Intro to Carving with Aspen Golann (April 16, 17 & 18): two spots remain
  • Greenwood Stool with Andy Glenn (April 30, May 1 & 2): two spots remain
  • Dutch Tool Chest with Megan Fitzpatrick (May 14, 15 & 16): two spots remain

We’re using a smaller deposit and are being flexible this season.  We know things can change quickly.  We’re hopeful that conditions will allow for our classes but will continue to reevaluate as we get nearer.  Send me a question if you have questions or concerns about a class or our plans for Pine Croft.

 

andy glenn (glenna@berea.edu)

History and Hopes

By Front Page Post

Nancy Hiller (author, designer, cabinet maker, instructor – just to name a few) investigated the connection between the recent addition of Pine Croft to Berea College’s long history.  We’re grateful Nancy took the time and effort to research this piece and the connections between the college and the woodworking school.  There’s plenty of woodworking within it, but there’s also reference to societal  challenges and the work being done here at Berea to address it.  Please take a moment to read it, if you’re at all interested in the woodworking history here in Berea (or are just a fan of Nancy’s skillful writing).  Link to post at Lost Art Press.

[Note: Nancy died in the summer of 2022.  Her legacy is ever with us – through her writings, her woodwork, and the multitudes of people she encouraged and inspired.  If you haven’t before, I invite you to look through Nancy’s site for a glimpse of her courage, her willingness to share her wisdom with the woodworking community, and her enormous impact to the craft field.]

-andy glenn

Pinecroft!

Pine Croft Class Update

By decommission

Our plan is to open class registration for the 2021 season on October 15th.  We’ll announce the schedule and guest instructors ahead of that date.  I’m working on lining up our guest instructors at this time… the schedule will be similar to 2020, but not exactly the same.  You can expect a full range of furniture classes – cases and chairs, skills based classes and project based ones.  There will be offerings that cover a range of interests and skills.  We plan on having Tuesday evening presentations from our guest instructors, free and open to  anyone interested.

We’ll release the schedule in October so that everyone can plan for the upcoming year.  We will take a cautious approach.  That will mean our registration and cancellation policy will change, making it easier for everyone involved to adapt if the conditions call for it.

If you are interested in receiving communication about the upcoming schedule and events at the school, please register here (we’ll keep your info private and you’ll receive minimal notifications from us – just enough to keep you updated on the happenings at Pine Croft).

Questions or thoughts? Please contact us.  Our email and phone numbers are on the contact page.  We’d like to hear from you.

All that said, we’re excited and optimistic for the 2021 season.  Hope to see you in the spring!

-andy glenn

Pinecroft!

Donation Opportunity

By decommission

Friends of Pine Croft.

Even before we were forced to cancel our first full season of classes due to COVID-19 we had received inquiries about how best to make donations to The Woodworking School at Pine Croft.

Our intentions for the school are two-fold:

1. To provide the best possible woodworking education.

2. To ensure that the long tradition of quality handcraft continues with future generations.

These two objectives can rub against each other uncomfortably sometimes. Young aspiring craftspeople often find the tuition for the highest quality classes to be out of reach as they are struggling to begin their careers, yet to accomplish both of our core objectives we need to find a way to bring them into the school.

You can help us achieve this goal by making a donation by clicking the yellow button in the upper right-hand corner of our home page. We will apply 100% of the money raised to fund scholarships for those craftspeople, and aspiring craftspeople, who can’t afford our regular tuition.

We offer several options for donation on the site which range from a one-time donation of your choice to a “subscription” or monthly donation at whatever level you feel most comfortable.

As we move forward with this campaign we will keep you posted about how selections for these scholarships are made and would gladly accept any nominations for consideration that you feel comfortable offering.

Together we can ensure that the long legacy of craft and woodworking excellence continues for future generations.

~Aaron Beale

About Pine Croft

By About

The Woodworking School at Pine Croft

Berea College re-opened the former Kelly Mehler School of Woodworking in 2019 under the leadership of Berea College former Head of Woodcraft Andy Glenn as The Woodworking School at Pine Croft. Both Andy and Berea College are dedicated to preserving the fundamental character the school has been known for as we move the school into its next phase.  The Woodworking School at Pine Croft further supports Berea College’s 120-year commitment to the preservation and promotion of craft.

Our Mission

While in some ways woodworking is an individual pursuit, there are common traits that connect across makers: a desire to expand our skills, furnish our homes, surround ourselves with the handmade, and join a community of dedicated craftspeople. We believe that craft can both preserve traditions and beauty – and that craft can act as a counterbalance to a disposable and consumer-reliant world. Making is essential to us. We are excited to share a place where students can grow in their skills and fulfill their creative pursuits. Providing opportunities to work with leading instructors who come from diverse backgrounds and have different woodworking perspectives. All are welcome to attend.