The Austin School of Furniture is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporations woodworking and furniture making school located in Austin, Texas offering beginner to advanced, part-time and full-time woodworking courses. Yeehaw!
We focus on educating hobbyists and aspiring professionals in the craft of furniture making through demonstrations, lectures, pre-recorded videos and of-course in-person hands on learning.
We at ASF feel that it is extremely important to learn and understand the traditions and historical techniques of furniture construction while embracing advances in design and technology. Hand tools to computer-aided machinery are all used to cover a broad understanding of both the past and future of furniture making.
About Asf
Who we are
Values
MISSION
Who we are
For woodworkers by woodworkers! We are passionate furniture makers that love to make things out of wood but also enjoy passing on what we have learned over decades of experience.
ASF is the school we wish we always had. We have tried to create a community and environment that is not only great for learning about making furniture but also a fun and safe place to learn about yourself.
Put that smartphone down, take a deep breath, relax and start making something with your hands.
Values
- FUN – We believe that woodworking should be fun and enjoyable. We strive to make our classes both educational and exciting.
- QUALITY – ASF pursues perfection in everything we do. This goes beyond the furniture we make and guides how we run our school.
- RESPECT – We are big fans of respect and ask that everyone is treated with kindness and empathy.
- DIVERSITY – Diverse backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints breed creativity. ASF welcomes everyone.
- HUMILITY – ASF tries to create a great learning environment by being humble and always being open to learning more.
MISSION
At the Austin School of Furniture, we are dedicated to fostering the craft and community of furniture making in Texas. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to make woodworking and furniture making accessible, enjoyable, and equitable for everyone. We achieve this through offering specialized courses, free and subsidized tuition, tool stipends, industry training, job placement, and comprehensive woodworking education.
Our goal is to create a welcoming and affordable space where both beginners and skilled woodworkers can learn, grow, and thrive. By seeking funding and donations, we are committed to supporting and expanding the vibrant woodworking community, ensuring that the art of furniture making continues on and is accessible to all who wish to learn.
Our story
Our founder, Austin Waldo, got his passion for woodworking by hanging around his grandfather’s woodshop while growing up in Kansas. Over the years he has continued to be an avid hobbyist and became involved in the woodworking industry through taking classes, managing social media for local craftspeople, and running a successful Meetup Group, the Woodworking Social Club.
In 2017, Austin recognized that the demand was high for more woodworking educational opportunities in the Austin area. The question was then how to make it work as a business. So he set out to find the best furniture makers, investors, and industry partners to help plan, open and run such a school.
A core group of enthusiastic furniture makers came together, including Philip Morley, Shota Yamaguchi, Aaron Fox and Leslie Webb…and thus, the Austin School of Furniture was born.
