The Northwest Woodworking Studio

Listings

Classes: The Northwest Woodworking Studio

We offer a wide variety of classes for all different age groups. Classes are another excellent way to perfect your artistic skills. Inquire about times and dates for classes by clicking the "Send Inquiry" button.

Parties: The Northwest Woodworking Studio

There is nothing better than hosting a group of friends for your next party at our studio. Inquire about times and dates for your next party by clicking the "Send Inquiry" button.

Camps: The Northwest Woodworking Studio

Camps are a great way for kids to get introduced to the basics of art and drawing. Inquire about times and dates by clicking the "Send Inquiry" button.

Details

1002 SE 8th Ave Portland, OR 97214
(503) 284-1644
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Business Overview

Gary Rogowski, Director of the Northwest Woodworking Studio opened the doors to the public in 1997. The Studio is a center for woodworking classes located in the Southeast Portland, Oregon, the city's heart of creativity and craft. As Director and teacher, Gary focuses on traditional hand tool techniques but emphasizes contemporary design strategies. This combination offers more advanced students tremendous creative leeway as well as the skillset to hold it all together. Gary has spent much of his adulthood in Portland having migrated from Chicago to attend Reed College. He earned a degree in literature but found a career in woodworking. His work has made its way into galleries throughout the country including the Contemporary Crafts Gallery, Artquake in Portland and The Real Mother Goose. He also participated in the Table Lamp and Chair Show series and the Oregon biennial in the Portland Art Museum. He has worked with clients for private commissions and built public work for Temple Beth Israel as well as building library tables for the Oregon State Archives. Gary has established himself as a force within the woodworking community. Not only has he has been building furniture since 1974, he is also frequent contributor to a number of woodworking magazines. His acclaimed book The Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery was released by Taunton Press in 2003 and still remains a valuable resource for woodworkers. Other publications include the DVD Router Joinery and a number of videos on Mortise and Tenons, Plywood Drawers, and Router Joinery. Portland may be known for its high tech atmosphere and hipster persona, but The Northwest Woodworking Studio is working to make her cutting edge as well - 19th century style. The Studio has planted itself firmly in the tradition of the 19th century British Arts and Crafts movement, teaching woodworking skills to promote craftsmanship. The approach is simple: build solid, honest furniture with one's hands and heart that will last a lifetime. How It All Started One spring day in 1997, Gary Rogowski, the founder and director of the Studio opened his furniture shop doors to a very small group of students eager to learn from a Master woodworker. Gary had been building furniture for private and public clients for 23 years then. His teaching and writing for Fine Woodworking Magazine had given him national exposure. He felt that a large segment of the woodworking market was being ignored by art schools and craft programs, and so launched the Studio to give traditional woodworkers a place to learn. Twelve years later, close to 500 students per year make their way through the doors of the new Studio on SE 8th Avenue in Portland, in the heart of the Central Eastside Design District. Read more