About Us

Michigan’s Most Unexpected School- The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute

A Global Destination for Craftsmanship, Creativity, and Community.

At the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (SBWI), we’re not just teaching woodworking—we’re cultivating a culture.

Founded in Adrian, Michigan, SBWI has grown into one of the most respected woodworking schools in the nation, drawing students from across the country and around the world. What sets us apart isn’t just the quality of our instruction—it’s the culture of creativity, respect, and craftsmanship that defines everything we do.

Here, education is immersive, hands-on, and deeply personal. Students of all ages and skill levels come together to learn everything from traditional joinery and fine furniture making to timber framing and design. Whether you're building your first project or refining your professional skills, you’ll be supported by a passionate community of artists, makers, and educators who believe in the transformative power of craft.

Our classes are small, our tools are sharp, and our values run deep. We believe in working with our hands, thinking with our hearts, and building things that last—whether it’s a table, a timber frame, or a lifelong career.

Located in the heart of Adrian—a city also home to the historic Croswell Opera House and the iconic Chaloners Cigar House—SBWI is proud to be a hidden gem in a town full of character.

Come experience the difference. Come be part of something meaningful.
Come build with 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) started unconventionally—as a renegade art and trade school, born from a shared passion for craft and community. Founded in 2015 by award-winning Windsor chairmaker Luke Barnett and accomplished artist Dena Koehn, SBWI quickly demonstrated its unique value, evolving into an official nonprofit on April 27, 2017.

Recognizing the demand for specialized woodworking education, Luke and Dena donated their personal woodworking tools to launch the institute. Leveraging Luke’s international reputation in niche woodworking circles, SBWI began offering immersive five-day workshops, attracting students worldwide.

In 2020, SBWI introduced its flagship Wood Design program, a rigorous college-level furniture-making course. Quickly recognized globally, the program is celebrated as one of the finest furniture-making educations available. Its excellence was further validated in 2022, when approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs, enabling veterans to utilize their GI Bill and other benefits.

The Wood Design program's success was powerfully demonstrated by its graduating class of 2023, achieving an extraordinary 100% employment rate. In 2024, SBWI reached another major milestone—earning full institutional and programmatic accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), a prestigious agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Today, SBWI proudly stands at the intersection of Fine Arts and Skilled Trades, continuing to flourish in Adrian, Michigan, as a vibrant hub for creativity, craftsmanship, and lifelong learning.

Mission Statement:

We provide 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.