Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute graduates inaugural class
SBWI Woodworking program

ADRIAN, Mich. - The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (SBWI) recently celebrated its inaugural graduating class of 2021 with seven students receiving a diploma in Furniture Making & Wood Design. Students Caleb Peper and Charlie Gragg, both of Michigan, were awarded the Golden Plane award for their outstanding achievements in craftsmanship and design.

The year-long career training program empowers students to design and create challenging projects with effective and practical teaching techniques. The institute says many of these graduates will move on to start their own businesses or join the industry in cabinet and furniture making.

Founded in 2017, the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and licensed Post-Secondary school located in Adrian, Michigan. The school helps to provide job opportunities within the trades and encourages creativity, growth and learning for students, hobbyists, and professionals.

The institute also offers general classes, on a range of topics including woodturning, joinery, cabinetry, Windsor chair making and CNC, as well as classes targeted specifically for youth and women. Woodworking for Warriors is another program available at SBWI and created specifically for veterans.

Luke Barnett, co-founder of SBWI, was named a 2021 Wood Industry 40 Under 40 by Woodworking Network.

Information on all classes and programs can be found at sambeaufordwoodshop.com.

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Karen Koenig | Editor

Karen M. Koenig has more than 30 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As editor of special publications under the Woodworking Network brand, including the Red Book Best Practices resource guide and website, Karen’s responsibilities include writing, editing and coordinating of editorial content. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media. She can be reached at [email protected]