Weeklong Workshop: Introduction to Design in Woodworking w/John Henley
Introduction to Design in Woodworking: Box Making Intensive w/John Henley
Date: August 3-7, 2026
Time: 10am-5pm Daily
Description: Join John Henley for “Fun School” this summer!
In this weeklong workshop, students will explore wood from a material perspective, learning the anatomy of wood, its behaviors, and how to design with it to create beautiful objects that last!
This workshop will introduce practices of design and planning for woodworking through the process of creating a custom keepsake box. To note, not only will you leave the week with at least two unique and lasting objects, through boxmaking, you will also learn many skills (of design and construction) applicable towards future projects.
This immersive week will include a series of lecture-style discussions alongside practical exercises that introduce students to the entire woodshop. Students will learn the foundational processes of woodworking, including how to take a rough-sawn board to dimensioned-lumber (and what that even means!) and how to assemble multiple pieces with joinery techniques. John will guide students through lessons in the material characteristics of wood applied to create a functional object, from initial design considerations through to the finishing of two custom keepsake boxes.
Throughout the course, shop etiquette and safety will be in constant consideration.
No woodworking experience is necessary (or expected)! This is a comprehensive course covering all the basics of wood and working with it.
Tuition: $500 + $65 materials fee
Materials: All materials will be provided.
Note: We really want you to join us in the studio! Full and partial tuition scholarships are often available—with some limitations— to offset some of the financial burden of attending a class.
For more details or to apply for a scholarship, visit the application here. You can expect to hear from someone on the CC staff within 2 weeks.
If you have any questions, email Jamie Boyle,Senior Education Manager, at jboyle@contemporarycraft.org, or leave a voice message for them at 412-465-1628.
Location: Contemporary Craft Timmons Studios (5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201)
We strive to create a welcoming experience. If there are accessibility accommodations we can provide, or if there is anything you would like us to know before you arrive, please feel free to call Jamie Boyle at 412-465-1628 or email jboyle@contemporarycraft.org.
Cancellations and Refunds: Weeklong intensive workshop cancellations are decided two weeks before the start date. If workshops must be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire class fee will be refunded by check, to your credit card, or Contemporary Craft account for future workshops.
Refund Policy: Student refund requests must be made at least two weeks before a class begins. There will be a $45 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given without two weeks notice. Processing of refunds takes approximately three weeks.
About the Artist
John Henley is a woodworker, designer, and researcher who creates functional objects that build connection with the materials, landscapes, and people surrounding us. John received a B.Des in Industrial Design from Carnegie Mellon University and served as an apprentice for master woodworker Tadao Arimoto. Having grown up in Oregon and now based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, John’s interest in the landscape—both natural and built—impacts his work, which combines traditional craft practices and contemporary praxis. John has received multiple awards and residencies, including a fellowship with the Steve Jobs Archive and, currently, an apprenticeship with Contemporary Craft, where he is supporting arts education while maintaining a studio practice.
