2025 Class Schedule
RISD Furniture Design
Teaching at RISD this Fall
Aspen will be returning to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to teach in the Furniture Design Department from September to December.
RISD Furniture Design
Located in Providence, RI, the Furniture Design program at RISD offers an intensive immersion in materials research and the process of making furniture and objects. Students explore critical questions facing designers today, such as leveraging new technologies and materials, responding to economic conditions, and adapting to evolving lifestyles.
Intro to Handbrooms and Sweepers
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Hawaii Handweavers - Honolulu HI
Learn to design and tie everything from a small whisk broom to a full sized or double headed floor sweeper. After one short weekend students will walk away with a variety of beautiful and functional brooms including whisks, turkey wings, short handled hearth brooms, a full sized floor sweeper, and more. This class will survey material sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips & techniques.
If you are interested in making a full-size broom, handled broom, or designing your own pieces, this class is for you. Class discussions will explore the history of broomcorn and broom making in America and will survey a variety of contemporary and historical brooms to inspire your design ideas.
Visiting Artist: UW Madison
Visiting Artist: UW Madison Art/Sculpture
I'm excited to announce that I'll be a visiting artist at UW Madison Art/Sculpture next year!
2025 Visiting Artist Colloquium
The Art Department Colloquium is a series supported by the Anonymous Fund and the Brittingham Trust. Visiting Artist lectures are held every Wednesday during the academic year and are free and open to the public.
Discover the latest developments in fine art, craft, and design at our free public lectures by some of the nation’s most prominent artists, critics, and gallery and museum directors.
I'll be giving a free public lecture on February 5th and engaging in other in-person activities with students. Check back soon for more details!
Chair Making Residency at Berea College
Chairmaking Residency at Berea College
Aspen and Charles Thompson will be co-residents at Berea College in the woodcraft department.
About Berea College & Berea Craft
Berea College, the first integrated, co-educational college in the South, has not charged students tuition since 1892. Founded in 1855 by an ardent abolitionist, Berea College emphasizes values such as inclusion, equity, and impartial love.
Most Berea College students are from Kentucky and Appalachia, including economically distressed and at-risk counties in Central Appalachia. Berea aims to recruit, enroll, and educate the best and brightest from this region, with the hope that many graduates will continue to contribute to the area's improvement.
About the Artist in Residence Program
Launched in the fall of 2023 and funded by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, Berea College’s Visiting Artist Residency program offers a paid residency at the Student Craft studios in Berea, KY. The program includes a small honorarium and shared housing in the nearby “Craft House.”
For more information, visit the Artist in Residence Program.
Hard & Soft: Sculptural Woodworking
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Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts - Gatlinburg, TN
In this five-day class, we will explore both traditional and experimental carving techniques to craft handheld sculptures that bridge the gap between functional objects and abstract art. Starting with the brush form, we will delve into intricate carving, wood shaping, and conceptual approaches to the material. Each student will design and carve their own unique interactive object that engages, elevates, or subverts the brush form, creating functional and conceptual manifestations of this ubiquitous tool. Additionally, we will cover traditional broom tying and its contemporary variations, as well as compound angle drilling, bent-lamination, and both traditional and modern carving. This innovative and flexible approach will equip students with a strong set of carving skills, a deeper understanding of wood, and a broader perspective on the fusion of traditional craft, art, and design.
Sculptural Wood Carving
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Penland School of Craft - Penland NC
I will be co-teaching this class with my dear friend and fellow wood weirdo, Julian Watts. Check out his work and check back here (or on Penland’s site!) for a link to sign up when they go live!
Intro to Handbrooms and Sweepers
J U S T L A U N C H E D ! | Interested in future classes? Join the mailing list!
The North Bennet Street School - Boston, MA
Learn to design and tie everything from a small whisk broom to a full sized or double headed floor sweeper. After one short weekend students will walk away with a variety of beautiful and functional brooms including whisks, turkey wings, short handled hearth brooms, a full sized floor sweeper, and more. This class will survey material sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips & techniques.
If you are interested in making a full-size broom, handled broom, or designing your own pieces, this class is for you. Class discussions will explore the history of broomcorn and broom making in America and will survey a variety of contemporary and historical brooms to inspire your design ideas.
Bones of a Windsor
S O L D O U T | Interested in future classes? Join the mailing list!
Port Townsend School of Woodworking - Port Townsend WA
Assistants: TBD
Popular in 1600 and 2022, this ancient chair style is still a darling of the contemporary furniture field. Starting from a green log students will learn to split, soak, and shape their way to a finished piece of furniture. In this class we will cover the essential techniques required to build a classic Windsor side chair – we will also cover a variety of approaches to furniture design including maquettes, drafting and creating original patterns. The instructor will share plans and techniques for building a small kiln, steam box, bending forms, and a shavehorse so that students return home empowered to design and build their own chairs. Whether you are new to woodworking or an experienced maker, Windsor chair making will deepen your appreciation for the strength and versatility of wood and the power of hand tools.
Transformations: Curators and Contemporary Artists at Winterthur
Transformations: A Talk with Curators & Contemporary Artists at Winterthur
Join us at the Winterthur Museum for an talk with the artists and curators of Transformations: Contemporary Artists at Winterthur. Participate in person or virtually—check back soon for a registration link.
About the Exhibition
June 8, 2024–January 5, 2025
Winterthur connects the past and the present in an exciting new exhibition showcasing contemporary art. Transformations features more than thirty nationally recognized artists whose work draws inspiration from the historic collections of the museum, garden, and library. Discover how the old influences the new—forging connections across communities, transforming our perspectives about history, and commenting on our lives today. These artistic expressions reflect each artist’s connection to the fine craftsmanship and design in Winterthur’s collection of decorative arts and archival materials as well as its naturalistic garden and landscape.
Transformations is an ongoing project that began in the spring of 2021. Explore the online exhibition now to see current and past works. Then visit the Galleries beginning in June to experience more, in person. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind collaboration!
About Winterthur’s Maker–Creator Research Fellowship
Most of the artists in Transformations took part in the Maker–Creator Research Fellowship program, which invites artists, writers, filmmakers, horticulturists, craftspeople, and other creative professionals to immerse themselves in Winterthur’s collections. The fellowship provides a stipend and gives access to the museum and estate for research. Works resulting from the fellowships are on view in the galleries and garden. For more information and to apply, visit our Fellowships page.
Collecting Inspiration: Panel Discussion
In-Person Artist Panel at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Join us for an engaging in-person artist panel held in conjunction with the exhibition Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co.
About the Exhibition
Edward C. Moore (1827–1891)—the creative force who led Tiffany & Co. to unparalleled originality and success during the second half of the 19th century—amassed a vast collection of decorative arts of exceptional quality and in various media, from Greek and Roman glass and Japanese baskets to metalwork from the Islamic world. These objects were a source of inspiration for Moore, a noted silversmith in his own right, and the designers he supervised.
The exhibition Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co. will feature more than 180 extraordinary examples from Moore's personal collection, which was donated to the Museum, alongside 70 magnificent silver objects designed and created at Tiffany & Co. under his direction. Drawn primarily from the holdings of The Met, the display will also include seldom seen examples from a dozen private and public lenders. A defining figure in the history of American silver, Moore played a pivotal role in shaping the legendary Tiffany design aesthetic and the evolution of The Met’s collection.
Intro to Windsor Chairmaking
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**2 scholarship spots available through The Chairmakers Toolbox
Fireweed Community Woodshop - Minneapolis MN
Assistant: Wu Hanyen
Popular in 1600 and 2022, this ancient chair style is still a darling of the contemporary furniture field. Starting from a green log students will learn to split, soak, and shape their way to a finished piece of furniture. In this class we will cover the essential techniques required to build a classic Windsor side chair – we will also cover a variety of approaches to furniture design including maquettes, drafting and creating original patterns. The instructor will share plans and techniques for building a small kiln, steam box, bending forms, and a shavehorse so that students return home empowered to design and build their own chairs. Whether you are new to woodworking or an experienced maker, Windsor chair making will deepen your appreciation for the strength and versatility of wood and the power of hand tools.
Contemporary Casework
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The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship - Rockport ME
Co-taught with Owain Harris
This course is designed for both intermediate and experienced woodworkers seeking to refine their skills and push the boundaries of creativity in casepiece design through the artful use of veneer. Participants delve into the principles of casework construction focusing on innovative design, precision joinery, and the use of diverse materials. Students will learn to harness the characteristics of veneer by exploring how it can be used to create patterns, contrasts, and unique designs that elevate their furniture to a new level of sophistication.
Receiving personalized guidance and feedback throughout the two-week course, students come away with knowledge and practice in:
Contemporary design principles specifically tailored for veneered casework.
Techniques to develop designs utilizing drawing tools, models, and mock-ups.
An understanding of veneer selection, preparation, and the unique characteristics of different species.
The use of both solid wood and modern engineered materials in fine furniture.
Advanced skills in precision joinery, including edge banding, mitered corners, and other techniques specific to veneer applications.
Brooms & Brushes + Talk
The Offcut Shop / The Art Institute of Chicago
Learn to design and build functional and sculptural brooms. Make a variety of traditional whisk brooms including handheld sweepers, whisks, turkey wings, short-handled hearth brooms, and more. We will cover materials choices and sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips, and techniques. Gain an introduction to the history of broomcorn and broom making in America and explore the technical and design principles you'll need to design your own broom forms. All levels welcome.
Cranbrook Academy of Art: Broom Making + Artist Talk
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Learn to design and build functional and sculptural brooms & brushes. Make a variety of traditional whisk brooms including handheld sweepers, whisks, turkey wings, short-handled hearth brooms, and more. We will cover materials choices and sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips, and techniques. Gain an introduction to the history of broomcorn and broom making in America and explore the technical and design principles you'll need to design your own broom forms. All levels welcome.
Wicked Clean - Intro to Broom Making (VIRTUAL)
J U S T L A U N C H E D ! | Sign up here!
Virtual through Peter’s Valley School of Craft
2 Virtual Evening Sessions: Tues/Tues, April 10 & 17 | 6pm - 7:30pm
If you are interested in making a full-size broom, handled broom, or designing your own pieces, this class is for you. Learn to design and tie everything from a small whisk broom to a full sized or double headed floor sweeper. This class will survey material sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips & techniques.
Windsor Side Chair Design & Build
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The North Bennet Street School - Boston MA
Co-taught with Charles Thompson
Starting from a log, students learn to split, soak, and shape their way to an elegant, custom chair. This course provides a balanced approach to design & build skills - covering traditional chairmaking skills while also introducing students to the design process. Each student will have the opportunity to customize an essential form provided by instructors - creating structurally similar objects with variations in crest positioning, part shaping, and spindle layout.
Class discussions will cover the principles of chair design and construction, material technology, ergonomics, and tooling as well as the theory and practice of tapered mortise-and-tenon joinery, and the moisture differentials that are at the core of the Windsor joinery system. This workshop is perfect for beginners as well as experienced students who are ready to dive into chair design.
Intro to Broom Making
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Hatchspace - Brattleboro VT
If you are interested in making a full-size broom, handled broom, or designing your own pieces, this class is for you. Class discussions will explore the history of broomcorn and broom making in America and will survey a variety of contemporary and historical brooms to inspire your design ideas.
Learn. Learn to design and tie everything from a small whisk broom to a full sized or double headed floor sweeper. This class will survey material sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips & techniques.
Make. After one short weekend students will walk away with a variety of beautiful and functional brooms including whisks, turkey wings, short handled hearth brooms, a full sized floor sweeper, and more.
2 Sessions: Sat/Sun, March 16 & 17 | 9:00am - 5:30pm | Class will break for a 1/2 hour lunch each day.
Intro to Broom Making
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Hobby Shop - Boston MA
Assistants: TBD
Contemporary Windsor Chair
S O L D O U T | Interested in future classes? Join the mailing list!
Austin School of Furniture and Design - Austin TX
Assistants: TBD
Popular in 1600 and 2022, this ancient chair style is still a darling of the contemporary furniture field. Starting from a green log students will learn to split, soak, and shape their way to a finished piece of furniture. In this class we will cover the essential techniques required to build a classic Windsor side chair – we will also cover a variety of approaches to furniture design including maquettes, drafting and creating original patterns. The instructor will share plans and techniques for building a small kiln, steam box, bending forms, and a shavehorse so that students return home empowered to design and build their own chairs. Whether you are new to woodworking or an experienced maker, Windsor chair making will deepen your appreciation for the strength and versatility of wood and the power of hand tools.
Two Slat Chair & Slat Carving
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Eric Cannizzaro Chair Maker - Charlotte, VT
Co-taught with Eric Cannizzaro
Octagonal parts will be shaped with the drawknife and spokeshave. Slat mortises are routed, rung mortises are made with the drill press. After initial shaping of parts and fitting slat joinery, we will develop patterns and carve them into our slats with a series of gouges. After assembly chairs can be painted with milk paint or clear finished in class. A variety of colors of shaker tape will be available to choose from to weave the seat. Aspen Golann and I are co-teaching this class and allowing up to 5 students.
The Bones of a Windsor
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Port Townsend School of Woodworking - Port Townsend, WA
Many new woodworkers dream of the day when they can gain the skills and confidence to construct their very own chair. Join guest instructor Aspen Golann, who will help to demystify this classic form and guide each student through the process of designing and building this time-tested piece of furniture in this six-day course.
The Chairmaker's Toolbox: Stick Chair Class
A P P L I C A T I O N S C L O S E D | Interested in future classes? Check out The Chairmaker’s Toolbox
Lost Art Press - Covington, KY
Lead Instructor: Chris Schwarz - Assistant: Aspen Golann
This class is an introduction to building stick chairs – a vernacular form of furniture that has been around for centuries. Most stick chairs were built by amateur woodworkers or farmers who made chairs in the off-season. They were built with available materials and a small tool set. And unlike many formal furniture styles, such as Windsor chairs, stick chairs have far fewer rules and established forms. In fact, you are unlikely to ever find two identical stick chairs. This class is an introduction to building these chairs with a small kit of hand tools, a band saw and wood available from any lumberyard. Students will be provided with a wide variety of different chair patterns so they can personalize their chair by changing the undercarriage, rainbow, hands, sticks and comb.
Intro to Broom Making: Handbrooms & Sweepers
S O L D O U T | Interested in future classes? Join the mailing list!
The North Bennet Street School - Boston, MA
Learn to design and tie everything from a small whisk broom to a full sized or double headed floor sweeper. After one short weekend students will walk away with a variety of beautiful and functional brooms including whisks, turkey wings, short handled hearth brooms, a full sized floor sweeper, and more. This class will survey material sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips & techniques.
If you are interested in making a full-size broom, handled broom, or designing your own pieces, this class is for you. Class discussions will explore the history of broomcorn and broom making in America and will survey a variety of contemporary and historical brooms to inspire your design ideas.
Looking Good: Sculptural Mirror Making
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Pocosin Arts - Columbia, NC
Assistant: Chelsea Witt
Make playfully expressive mirrors while learning essential woodworking skills. We will cover everything from the safe use of machines and hand tools, to power carving, and a wide range of joinery techniques. Students are encouraged to explore experimental and expressive designs as we transform this household object into sculpture. Aspen will also demonstrate the ancient process of mirroring clear sheet glass using silver chemicals.
Collaborative Design Workshop
A P P L I C A T I O N S C L O S E D | Interested in future classes? Check out The Chairmaker’s Toolbox
Peter Galbert Chairmaking Studio, Rollinsford, NH
Instructor: Peter Galbert - Assistants: Aspen Golann & Kelly Harris
This class is a continuation of a workshop Peter Galbert taught to a small group of professional woodworkers in 2022. The inaugural class consisted of Audi Siosi, Sarah Watlington, Lacey Carnahan, Kelly Harris and Aspen Golann. Pete led the group through the process of designing a Windsor chair from scratch. It was wildly successful and we are going to offer it again this year. The original class will return and we are looking for two new chairmakers to join the crew.
This design class will focus on all aspect of creating a chair from concept drawings to models, mock ups , drafting and construction. The topics will range from material technology, ergonomics, structures, process and tooling. The class will choose two designs to push through the process. This is not a class to build and take home a chair, it’s to learn how a chair goes from concept to creation.
Sit Down For This: Designing & Building Chairs
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Anderson Ranch Art Center - Aspen, CO
2 week chair design & build workshop
In this workshop, students start by building a classic Windsor chair with hand tools. Class discussions cover the principles of chair design and construction, and students are encouraged to build a stool, bench, or sculptural form of their own design alongside their classic side chair. We cover a variety of approaches to seating design including maquettes, drafting, and digital drawing. Prior experience with turning or hand tools will be helpful but not necessary.
Broom Making Weekend: Deep Cleaning & Functional Sculpture
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John C Campbell Folk School - Brasstown, NC
Learn to design and build functional and sculptural brooms. Make a variety of traditional whisk brooms including handheld sweepers, whisks, turkey wings, short-handled hearth brooms, and more. We will cover materials choices and sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips, and techniques. Gain an introduction to the history of broomcorn and broom making in America and explore the technical and design principles you'll need to design your own broom forms. All levels welcome.
Wicked Clean: Traditional Appalachian Broom Making
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John C. Campbell Folk School - Brasstown, NC
Get whisked away in a week of broom making. Practice traditional construction techniques, flex your design muscles, and explore the intersection of form and function. Learn to make traditional handheld whisk brooms including turkey wings, pot scrubbers, and hearth brooms, experimenting with weaving, sewing, handles, and other flourishes. Then, attempt a full-size floor sweeper or a double headed marriage broom. Depart with the technical confidence and creative flow to build and design your own sculptural sweepers.
Intro to Broom Making: Handbrooms & Sweepers
S O L D O U T | Interested in future classes? Join the mailing list!
The North Bennet Street School - Boston, MA
Learn to design and tie everything from a small whisk broom to a full sized or double headed floor sweeper. After one short weekend students will walk away with a variety of beautiful and functional brooms including whisks, turkey wings, short handled hearth brooms, a full sized floor sweeper, and more. This class will survey material sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips & techniques.
If you are interested in making a full-size broom, handled broom, or designing your own pieces, this class is for you. Class discussions will explore the history of broomcorn and broom making in America and will survey a variety of contemporary and historical brooms to inspire your design ideas.
Intro to Windsor Chair Making
S O L D O U T | Interested in future classes? Join the mailing list!
Pinecroft School of Woodworking - Berea, KY
Assistants: Kelly Harris, Alexandra Mavrikis
Popular in 1600 and 2022, this ancient chair style is still a darling of the contemporary furniture field. Starting from a green log students will learn to split, soak, and shape their way to a finished piece of furniture. In this class we will cover the essential techniques required to build a classic Windsor side chair – we will also cover a variety of approaches to furniture design including maquettes, drafting and creating original patterns. The instructor will share plans and techniques for building a small kiln, steam box, bending forms, and a shavehorse so that students return home empowered to design and build their own chairs. Whether you are new to woodworking or an experienced maker, Windsor chair making will deepen your appreciation for the strength and versatility of wood and the power of hand tools.
Brooms & Brushes + Artist Talk
S O L D O U T | Interested in future classes? Join the mailing list!
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Boston, MA
Learn to design and build functional and sculptural brooms. Make a variety of traditional whisk brooms including handheld sweepers, whisks, turkey wings, short-handled hearth brooms, and more. We will cover materials choices and sourcing, broom construction, plaiting or weaving for decorative handles, specialty tools, hand grips, and techniques. Gain an introduction to the history of broomcorn and broom making in America and explore the technical and design principles you'll need to design your own broom forms. All levels welcome.
Intro to Broom Making: Handbrooms
S O L D O U T | Interested in future classes? Join the mailing list!
The North Bennet Street School - Boston, MA
In this action-packed, one-day class students will learn to make a variety of functional, beautiful handheld whisk brooms. We will cover turkey wing, hawks tail, pot scrubbers, cake testers, and round hearth brooms as well as plaiting or weaving for decorative handles.
Sotheby's Americana Symposium
The Work of Rest: The History & Practice of Windsor Chairmaking
Lecture & Demo by Aspen Golann & Kelly Harris
A range of talks relating to recent research in the fields of American Art and Decorative Arts. The symposium will start promptly at 10:00 AM and end approximately at 5:00 PM. If you wish to attend, click here or contact RSVP@Sothebys.com
Intro to Windsor Chairs
Austin School of Furniture & Design - Austin, TX
S O L D O U T
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Advanced Broom Making (VIRTUAL)
S O L D O U T
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Join us for a deep dive into full-scale broom making! We will practice traditional construction techniques while flexing our design muscles, and exploring the intersection of form and function. Class will begin with a short handled hearth broom and end with a full sized floor sweeper. We will also cover woven handles, sewing patterns, and other decorative flourishes. By the end of the demo, students will have all of the information needed to source material, make or find broom handles, and design and build their own pieces in a variety of sizes and styles. All levels welcome; Introduction to Broom Making: Online recommended for students interested in handheld brooms like turkey wings, hawks tails, and pot scrubbers.
Introduction to Broom Making (VIRTUAL)
S O L D O U T
Interested in similar classes in the future?
Join the mailing list!
Learn to design and build functional and sculptural brooms! In one short session, students will learn to make a variety of functional, beautiful brooms, including handheld sweepers, whisks, and turkey wings. These traditional brooms are an excellent introduction to the craft as well as the perfect jumping off point for a deeper dive. We will cover material sourcing, broom construction, specialty tools, hand grips, and a little bit of plaiting or weaving for decorative handles. Students will leave with 2-3 small hand brooms and enough supply to make more, as well as the knowledge to experiment with their own designs. Whether you are just starting out or looking for a new way to apply a lifetime of craft experience, broom making is an exciting and accessible craft. All levels welcome. Also, check out the Advanced Broom Making class on November 17!