The Fine Woodworking Program

 


Our Mission

The mission of the Fine Woodworking Department is to provide our students with opportunities for growth and development that set the foundation for life-long learning, academic achievement, and career accomplishment. We do this through three quality educational programs; traditional woodworking, advanced woodworking technology, and lutherie. We encourage a passion for learning, through creativity, a commitment to excellence in the craft, and dedication to our students, and the communities we serve.

Courses Focus on Three Areas of Expertise

Traditional fine woodworking
Advanced wood technologies
Lutherie (stringed instrument making)

Choose a Path that Fits Your Schedule and Your Interests

  • 12 certificate programs and an Associates of Applied Science in Fine Woodworking.
  • Day, evening or weekend classes to meet your scheduling needs. Classes are offered in Fall, Spring and Summer semester.
  • More than 50 courses are offered on a rotating basis, with specialties in turning, carving, inlay, veneer & marquetry, and cabinetmaking.
  • Open shop hours allow students access to the wood shop outside of class time to work on class projects.

An Inclusive Learning Environment

  • Small classes focus on hands-on learning.
  • No prior woodworking experience is necessary.
  • A growing student population that is diverse in gender, ethnicity, age range, educational and professional backgrounds.
  • Veterans are encouraged to apply. Approximately 25% of the Fine Woodworking Program students are veterans. Find out more at Veteran Services.

Instruction by Working Professionals

Classes are taught by accomplished craftspeople—furniture makers, sculptors, artisans, and instrument makers. Visit Instructors.

Careers in Fine Woodworking

The Fine Woodworking Program will show you the breadth of the woodworking industry. We will prepare you to work as a technical professional or project manager, or to work toward becoming a small business owner. Here are just a few of the careers in this field:

Fine furniture making
Cabinetmaking
Machine operations & tooling
Lumber mill operator
Wood turner
Carver
Furniture restorer
Mill worker
CNC operator
CNC designer
CNC production manager
Wood finisher
Lutherie artisan
Lutherie technician
Lutherie restorer

Student Projects

Instructors structure classes to include demonstrations of techniques followed by class time for students to practice them hands-on. Students translate these new skills into beautiful finished projects by the end of each semester. The Fine Woodworking Program hosts an exhibition of student works at the end of each fall and spring semester.

Learn to build a wide range of wood works:

Traditional Woodworking

  • Furniture and cabinetry: tables, chairs, doors, and solid wood, veneer and laminate cabinets
  • Wood arts: turnings, carvings, inlay, marquetry, architectural millwork

Advanced wood technologies

  • Produce intricate wood objects and replicate furniture components in production mode using hardwoods and sheet goods

Lutherie

  • Acoustic and electric guitars, violins, and ukeleles

Aspiring Entrepreneurs & Industry Professionals

Red Rocks Community College offers exceptional guidance and resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. If you aim to start your own woodworking business after acquiring skills in the Fine Woodworking Program, consider taking the BUS102 Entrepreneurial Operations course in the RRCC Business Department. (It is a required course for the Associates of Applied Sciences in Fine Woodworking.) Also, stop by the Entrepreneurship Center at The HUB on the Lakewood campus to find out the wide array of resources available to those seeking to start their own businesses. Many of these services are free to RRCC students and alumni. 

The Fine Woodworking Program works in interdisciplinary ways with the Business Department to enrich your educational experience. With an eye toward the woodworking industry, you can learn such foundational business concepts as competitive analysis, drafting a business plan, staffing and management, operations costs and logistics, and legal considerations. You will also have opportunities to interact with local woodworking businesses through on-site company tours and speaking events by working professionals and industry leaders.

Shop Experience

Lakewood Campus

  • The Fine Woodworking Program at the RRCC Lakewood campus offers shop space with six classrooms, machining areas, finishing lab, computer lab, CNC lab, laser lab, glue-up area, and workbenches and storage for students.

  • The Wood Shop power tools and machines include table saws, band saws, miter saws, a radial arm saw, jointers, planers, routers, track saws, drum sanders, domino machines, a panel saw, and more.

  • We have a library of hand tools that students can check out during class and open shop hours, including hand saws, hand planes, specialized lutherie and turning tools. Students are required to purchase some of their own tools and are encouraged to begin acquiring their own sets of tools.

  • The Wood Shop offers open shop hours outside of classes, including evenings and weekends. A trained shop monitor is on hand to help you as needed.

Interested in learning more about the Fine Woodworking Program?

Contact us and schedule a tour!

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