General Information
Camden Harbor
LOCALE
The Center for Furniture Craftsman-ship is located in the coastal village of Rockport, Maine, between Camden and Rockland. This is a beautiful vacation destination and a wonderful place to live. Explore Penobscot Bay from the deck of an historic windjammer or the intimacy of an ocean kayak. Canoe, fish, and swim in our many lakes and rivers, including famous Megunticook and our favorite swimming hole, Rocky Pond. Hike in Camden Hills State Park, or drive to spectacular Mt. Desert Island. Visit the lovely fishing villages of Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde. Take a ferry to the quiet islands of North Haven, Vinalhaven, and Islesboro.
The Camden/Rockport area is also blessed with excellent restaurants, Bay Chamber Concerts, the Maine Media Workshops, and the renowned Farnsworth Museum in Rockland. Those who like to shop will find an abundance of galleries, antique stores and flea markets, not to mention L.L. Bean and Freeport outlet shops just over an hour away. For more information visit the Camden Chamber of Commerce at www.camdenme.org.
MATERIALS FEES
Participants may purchase lumber and sandpaper at the Center for their furniture projects or may bring their own. We stock ash, cherry, maple, oak, and poplar at normal retail prices. For courses where everyone uses identical materials—such as Finishing A to Z, Relief Carving, and Intro to Turning—a supply fee will be charged to cover the costs of shared materials. Upon registration each student will be sent a supply list which indicates the range of any supply fee, along with a list of tools to bring to the workshop.
LODGING
Short-term Rentals
The best deal during the workshop season, from June through October, is a private room in a shared house, usually with a shared bath, for $295/week/person. These rooms are in private houses whose owners rent only to our workshop participants. All are clean, attractive, friendly situations between five and ten miles from the school. You can reserve a room when you register for your workshop or you may contact us later. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Also, we can refer you to private apartments, cottages, motels, bed and breakfasts, and campsites. They are plentiful throughout the mid-coast area. However, we suggest you book your housing without delay, as this is a popular vacation area. We are always available to help you find what you need.
To reserve a private room/shared house, send us a $100 deposit. The balance will be due thirty days in advance of your course. If you cancel more than 30 days in advance your full deposit will be refunded. If you cancel less than 30 days in advance, you will forfeit your deposit and the full balance will be due.
Long-term Rentals
Long-term rentals are available to participants in the Twelve-week Intensives, Nine-month Comprehensive, and Studio Fellowship Program at reduced rates. Depending on the season, these range from $450-$600 per month for a private room in a shared house and from $700-$900 per month for a private apartment.
To find out more about long-term housing opportunities, contact the school office.
EVENTS
Two weekly events are scheduled during the Workshop season, from June through mid-October.
- On Monday evenings we meet for dessert and a faculty slide show at 7:00 p.m.
- On Thursday evenings we hold a potluck class dinner and croquet tournament, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Family and friends are welcome at both events.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
- Courses begin at 9:00 a.m. on Mondays and end on Fridays at 5:00 p.m.
- Instruction is offered weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We break for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
- The workshop buildings are open to students around the clock during their courses, with certain restrictions on machine use.
COLLEGE CREDIT
We have affiliations with two Maine universities.
University of Southern Maine
College credit for courses taken at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship is available through USM. The number of credits is determined by the duration of the course and you must successfully meet the specific educational goals required. To apply for college credit contact:
Office of Prior Learning Assessment
253 Luther Bonney Hall
USM Portland, Maine 04104
207-780-4867
University of Maine at Orono
UMaine has signed an agreement to make the Center’s Twelve-week Intensive an elective for students in its undergraduate Wood Science and Technology Program. The focus of the University’s program is to prepare students for careers in wood technology, ranging from working as wood craftsmen to becoming professionals in the field of Material Science and Engineering. UMaine is an international leader in research and the study of wood and wood products. Their world-class facilities provide students with opportunities to work with advanced technologies and the AEWC hires over 100 students each year to work on a variety of wood-related research projects.
For more information on the University’s program, visit: www.forest.umaine.edu/education/WSC
SMOKING
No smoking is permitted in the school buildings.
ACCEPTANCE
- Participants must be at least 17 years old.
- Every course description indicates the appropriate experience level for participation. If you have questions, please call.
- For the Workshops and Twelve-week Intensives, admission is first-come, first-served.
- Applications are required for the Nine-month Comprehensive and Studio Fellowships.
PETS
Kindly leave your pets at home.
GETTING HERE
By car from Boston
- Take I-95 North through New Hampshire into Maine
- Just before Portland take Exit 44 onto 295 North
- Take Exit 28 to Brunswick/Route 1 North
- Follow Route 1 North to Warren (about 45 miles)
- Left on Route 90 at blinking light
- Go 6.5 miles
- The entrance to the school is on the right. If you pass it, take a right onto Mill St., where we have a second entrance.
Air Travel
Usually, participants fly into Portland (a 11/2-hour drive away). It is also possible to fly into Knox County/Rockland Airport (15 minutes away), Boston (31/2 hours) or Bangor (13/4 hours). Automobile rentals are available at all airports.