Located in Granby, Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Folk School offers an immersive two-day woodturning workshop led by master woodworker Dennis Fanning, whose 30 years of experience illuminate every step of the craft. This workshop is a rare opportunity to engage deeply with a tactile art form that transforms raw blocks of wood into elegant, practical objects. Situated on the edge of the Rockies, Granby is an ideal hub for creative outdoor adventure seekers eager to add a hands-on craft to their mountain itinerary.
The workshop unfolds over two focused days. Day one delves into spindle turning—where participants start with squarish wood stock, shaping it into rounded profiles with delicate beads and coves. Here, you’ll craft everyday yet whimsical items such as spoons, honey dippers, rolling pins, and even mortar and pestles. This foundational skills section grounds you in lathe safety, tool handling, and the rhythm of shaping wood.
Day two shifts to faceplate work, introducing techniques to mount and hollow wood pieces like bowls and plates, focusing on working across the grain and mastering fluid curves. You’ll discover how to secure your wood using faceplates, screw chucks, scroll chucks, and jam chucks—each demanding precision and control. By the end of this day, you’ll have created both functional keepsakes and artistic forms to take home, offering a tangible memory of your experience.
Set in a welcoming, creative environment at 300 County Road 4052, the Folk School provides all materials and tools, making this accessible even if you’re new to woodworking. Participants need to bring comfortable clothes suitable for sawdust, closed-toe shoes, and their own snacks and drinks, allowing for a relaxed lunch break. The small group size—capped at five—ensures personalized guidance and a supportive workshop atmosphere.
Offering more than a craft lesson, this workshop connects visitors to Colorado’s natural heritage by turning local wood into art, echoing the mountain region’s deep respect for its forests and artisan traditions. Whether you’re visiting to add a new dimension to your outdoor trip or seeking a purposeful creative retreat, the Rocky Mountain Folk School’s woodturning workshop stands out as a unique way to engage with both nature and craftsmanship in Granby.
This workshop complements outdoor adventures around Granby, from hiking in Arapaho National Forest to exploring nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. Return from your workshop experience with your own handcrafted piece, a novel skill set, and memories of alpine air mixed with the scent of freshly turned wood—a distinct blend of artistic challenge and mountain spirit that’s hard to find elsewhere.