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Finefolk Chair (Modern Stick Chair)


  • Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute 1375 N Main St Adrian, MI, 49221 United States (map)

Finefolk Chair (Modern Stick Chair)

5 Days: Monday - Friday, July 28th - August 1st, 2025, 8AM - 5PM

Tuition: $1,200

Ages: 18 & Up

Instructor: Zack Fealk

Instructional Delivery Method(s): In person

Prerequisites: None

Program Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Program Description:

Spend a week with SBWI Lead Instructor Zack Fealk building Katrina Tompkins’ Finefolk Chair. This class is a mix of traditional and contemporary chair making techniques that will give you speedy and strong results. This 3 legged vernacular-inspired chair has a unique style backrest and some hidden joinery to attach the back post. After five days you will bring home a chair to last generations! Finish or paint will be applied by the student on their own time after the course.

Traditionally, three-legged stools were task chairs made for life’s daily work; they were worn and warmed by the grit of life. Legs were made round and plugged into solid slab seat and the three legs (instead of four) made them stable for uneven ground, such as in a barn, shed or fishing stage. This seating series draws inspiration from those simple task stools with quiet aesthetics that prioritize utility and tranquility desirable in modern urban life.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn about chair joinery

  • Learn how to level chair legs

  • Learn how to intertwine traditional and modern joinery

  • Learn how to cut and shape a chair seat

Tool List: (We provide all the tools, but you are also welcome to bring your own)

  • Jack Plane

  • Smoothing Plane

  • Block Plane

  • 1/2 or 3/4 Chisel

  • Spoke Shave

  • Mallet

  • Card Scraper

  • Eye and Ear Protection

Attendance Requirements: Students must attend all days

Location: Sam Beauford Woodshop, 1375 N. Main St, Building 41, Adrian, Michigan 49221

Class Size: Maximum 8 students

Click Here to view our Refund, Cancellation, and Complaint Resolution Policies

Click Here for information on Traveling to Adrian

If you have any questions, please contact Dena Koehn at (517) 759-3070 or dena@sambeaufordwoodshop.com 


AIA Advance Learner Preparation: None

AIA Approved Learning Units & Type: 40 Elective

AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: 02/26/2028

Official AIA CES Provider Statement: Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10009739. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

Earlier Event: July 28
Angled Liquor Cabinet