Do I need prior experience in woodturning?

No prior experience is necessary; the workshop is designed for beginners and those wanting to refine basic skills.

Are materials and tools provided?

Yes, all wood materials and necessary tools are included in the workshop fee.

Is there an age requirement?

Participants must be at least 18 years old to attend.

What should I bring to the workshop?

Bring closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing, snacks, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks. Personal tools can be brought but are not required.

Where is the workshop held?

At the Rocky Mountain Folk School located at 300 County Road 4052, Granby, Colorado.

Can I take home the items I create?

Yes, all projects you complete during the workshop are yours to take home.

Mastering Woodturning at Rocky Mountain Folk School: A Hands-On Artistic Journey in Granby, Colorado

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.

About Rocky Mountain Folk School

Rocky Mountain Folk School in Grand Lake, Colorado offers hands-on craft workshops and skill-based classes for adults and children. The school hosts a rotating schedule of experiences led by skilled instructors, including glass artist Linda Dewey and master woodworker Dennis Fanning. Offerings range from short holiday projects — such as Glass Fusing: Christmas Ornaments and Beaded Snowflakes — to multi-session or intermediate classes like Glass Fusion Water Color Technique and Woodturning Workshop. Several sessions focus on fiber and surface design, including Silk Painted Suncatchers, Batik Flowers on Suede, and Watercolor: Holiday Postcards. Leatherwork classes include Leather Belt Making Workshop and Kids Leather Tooling & Bracelet Class, and more specialized options include Flint Knapping 101, Pottery for Adults, and Glass Fusion Butterfly Vase. The school also provides personalized entry points such as Gourd Craft 101, a one-on-one session that introduces new members to the Gourd Patch club and includes a complimentary gourd. Sessions vary in length and skill level — from 1.5- to multi-day workshops — and use classroom space, kilns, and studio tools appropriate to each craft. Rocky Mountain Folk School emphasizes hands-on instruction, safe tool use, and creative exploration in a community-focused setting. Prospective participants can register online or inquire about private reservations to find the right class for skill level, project preference, and scheduling needs.

Classes accommodate beginners through intermediate makers, and materials are provided for specific projects when noted. Workshop descriptions specify duration, required skills, kiln firings, and registration instructions on the school’s online calendar page today.