About Us

Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (SBWI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Adrian, MI, incorporated on April 23, 2017. We are a post-secondary trades college. We provide education and career opportunities through the artistry of woodworking.

Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), a recognized institutional accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education.

SBWI supports woodworking education through our three pillars of programming.

I. Diploma Program

A vision for the future of skilled trades and fine arts.

The 40-week Diploma Program in Wood Design: Furniture Making is designed to allow students, upon completion of the college-level program, to graduate with a diploma that can help them pursue entrepreneurial opportunities or join the workforce with the hands-on experience and craftsmanship necessary to join the woodworking industry.

II. Intensive Courses

Intensive Courses are five to seven-day classes for those looking to advance their woodworking skills to the next level. Week-long courses provide an intense and in-depth education into different specializations including Chair Making, Veneer & Marquetry, Carving, Timber Framing, Carpentry, and more.

III. Weekend Courses

Weekend Courses are short-term classes designed for people who want to learn about woodworking but cannot commit to longer programs. They provide easy access to many different woodworking projects including cutting boards, band saw boxes, shaker oval boxes, scroll saw puzzles, wood turning, farm house tables, spoon carving, CNC signs, and more.

History:

The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (SBWI) is a post-secondary school and non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Adrian, MI. We support woodworking education through our three pillars of programming: Diploma Program, Intensive Courses, and Weekend Courses. We continue to improve our school each year by adding new classes, bringing in world-renowned instructors, and adding new programming.

The SBWI was founded by Luke Barnett, a Windsor Chairmaker, and Dena Koehn, a graduate of Adrian College with a BFA in Studio Art and a BA in English. Luke has won many awards from the Woodworking Network, Directory of Traditional American Crafts, and Early American Life Magazine. His work has been exhibited in galleries all over the world like the traveling Smithsonian Exhibit. He has been a speaker at the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) and is an Accredited Skills Evaluator (ASE) through the Woodworking Career Alliance of North America (WCA).

When the duo met in 2015, Dena was a member of a local pottery club which eventually became the Adrian Center for the Arts (ACA). Luke and Dena started teaching woodworking at the ACA and across the country. The classes gained popularity and, in 2017, the City of Adrian approached them with an opportunity to take over a vacant old power plant, which is where the SBWI began.

*Samson Beauford is the name of a dog owned by Luke during his career as a Chairmaker.

Mission Statement:

We provide resources to learn marketable and measurable skills that are valuable in both a personal and professional capacity.

The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute provides outcome-based woodworking education with a commitment to continuous institutional improvement through ongoing assessment and continued education.

Why?

We believe that creativity and continuous learning are essential to healthy human development.

We provide in-person instruction through a community of the best artists, teachers, and students in the world

Our focus is woodworking.

Who Are We?

The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Adrian, MI and incorporated on April 23rd, 2017. We provide education through the artistry of woodworking.

Who we serve?

The SBWI supports three types of people – students, hobbyists, and professionals. The facility is inclusive and open to all. Some work undertaken is considered pure art, while other opportunities are designed for students to gain employment.

Personal Development - Art Classes

We offer project based woodworking classes geared to those in the community who are interested in personal pursuits in art. Artistic opportunities create a positive outlet for our community and increases the quality of life. This makes Lenawee County a more attractive place to live and work.

Community Outreach

SBWI has partnered with local organizations like The Boys and Girls Club, Adult Transitional Services, LISD, Hope Center, Goodwill, and others, to provide personal development opportunities at little or no cost.

Professional

We offer long term education classes for students who are looking to make woodworking a career. Over the next 5 years, the SBWI will be greatly expanding this avenue.

Safety

At the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute, student safety is our highest priority. To ensure a secure learning environment, all SBWI staff members are fully certified in CPR and first aid through the American Red Cross, equipping them to respond effectively to medical emergencies. Additionally, our team has completed disaster preparedness training with FEMA, enhancing our readiness to handle various emergency situations with skill and confidence. With this commitment to safety, we strive to provide a safe, supportive space where students can focus on their craft, knowing they are in capable, well-prepared hands.