Just about everyone in our club knows about the Marc Adams School of Wood Working. But not everyone is aware of the Masters Certificate Program the school offers. The MASW Masters Program is the most recognizable and credible woodworking certificate program in America. To date, nearly 500 people have completed this program.
The philosophy of the Masters Program as set forth by Marc Adams is”
“Mastering a craft is not measured by the volume of work that you’ve produced. Nor is it measured by the books you’ve read, tools you own, what classes you’ve taken, or how good others think you are. Mastering a craft is a combination of desire, aspiration, and motivation. Every person who completes their Masters here at MASW has developed a passion for excellence that truly transcends time. And they have done it Masterfully!”
The Masters curriculum consists of nine full week courses on the topics listed below, plus a two- week apprenticeship:
Joinery
Finishing
Veneering
Design
Carving
Chair Making
Turning
Elective
Handskills
Two-week Apprenticeship – This serves as a “capstone” for the Masters Program as the two Apprenticeships offered each year draw on the knowledge and skills learned through the courses taken to complete this program,
Further information on the MASW Masters program is available at: https://www.marcadams.com/masters-program/
Provided below are the DPWW members who are Marc Adams Masters and those who are working towards their Masters certificate. Each person has provided their thoughts on the Masters program.
Mark McCleary
Since I had over half of the requirements for the Masters, Marc himself suggested that I get the Masters. The biggest problem was making a chair. I made a Shaker Chair, which I use every day. Being a Master lets you register for MASW classes a week before everyone else. I attended 70 workshops over 50 weekends. Most of them were woodturning workshops. I also got the Alan Lacer Woodturning Fellowship. After age 87, I had to stop because I was unable to drive down there and depended on my children to drive me down and back. It was a great experience, and I am sorry that I had to stop. It made me a better Woodturner and flatwood worker.
go to topMark Osgood
The Marc Adams Masters Program gave me something to reach for. The requirements make a lot of sense as a way to round out your woodworking. One of the requirements was a carving class --something I probably wouldn't choose otherwise. It turns out that carving is quite enjoyable and taking the class was worthwhile. Working through the classes brought me into contact with some of the most skilled and creative instructors in the world. Being exposed to their methods and finished projects has influenced my work making wooden bicycles. I would recommend the program to any woodworker, no matter what their skill level.
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George Rodgers
The Masters broadened my knowledge and skills in woodworking. Rather than focus in one area such as turning or furniture making, I wanted to be more of a jack of all trades type of woodworker.
I did not rush through the program. I took one course a year over many years. This allowed me to more fully use some of the skills before learning more. I waited until I retired to do my two-week apprenticeship. So, from start to finish, I took 17 years to get my master's certificate. I feel more confident tackling different types of projects. I have also made a lot of contacts, both instructors and fellow students, and have relied on them through the years to help solve problems.
I think you get out of the program what you put into it. I have seen some students just focus on getting their master's certificate as quickly as possible, even within one or two years depending on how many classes they could take each year. I think this is too quick. I think you need to go home, get in the shop and try to make things. Then go back and learn more and continue building your skills rather than just focusing on "getting the master's certificate".
go to topPat Hillegass
I came to Marc Adams from a different path than most. When I told my wife at 55, I wanted to try woodworking she thought I was nuts. And she was right. I had zero handy skills. Then a friend told me about Marc Adams school. Well candidly I was too intimidated to go there initially. So, I took classes and Rockler and Woodcraft for a couple years and then took a chance at MASW.
My first class was an introductory woodworking class with Michael Fortune, a world-renowned woodworker. I was way out of my league. But I enjoyed the class. I enjoyed the skills and maybe most importantly the safety aspects that were taught. And the world-renowned teacher made me feel non-intimidated.
I enjoyed the idea of making something with my hands. I was not a good woodworker. But you didn’t have to be. But you did have to work. Sometimes long hours. And I made mistakes and mistakes. But the great teachers can usually fix the errors the students make without ruining a project. And I always just tried to do my best. It wasn’t competitive, I did the best I could. I kept taking classes. Learning new skills. At one point I said, go for it. Try for a Masters. And, several years later I completed the program.
Am I a master woodworker? Absolutely not.
Am I better than I was in my first intro class? Yes.
Have I met a lot of great men and women? Considerate people. Yes
Have I enjoyed this process? Yes.
There are some great student woodworkers here at MASW. But mostly there are a lot of friendly people enjoying a hobby and a break from real life. Marc Adams always says to new people “don’t be intimidated “by senior people. Because we all forget what we learned anyway.
The interactions I have had with so many people have for me made the Masters program an achievement. Often each time I return I see many familiar faces. We share class stories and life stories. We also share lunches and ice cream.
So, after 10ish years am I a master woodworker? No. I’m a lot better than when I started.
I have had an incredible experience. It has been masterful.
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Jeff Kramer
My pursuit of the Masters Certificate has turned into an interesting journey. I learned about the Masters program while I was taking my first course at MASW (actually my first woodworking course ever) three years ago. I noticed the plaques of all the Masters on the wall in the lunchroom. I then read about the program in the catalog and decided that I would work toward that goal. It seemed like a great way to broaden my woodworking skills. By the end of this year, I will have completed six of the ten requirements.
As I have progressed through the four courses I have already completed, I found myself acquiring new knowledge and skills. At times, this was accomplished through interaction with other students and the faculty, outside the class sessions. The realization of this came later as I worked on projects at home. I found myself changing how I performed various activities such as cutting rabbets and dados and, remembering and applying the tips and tricks I learned.
As a result of my participation in the Masters program, I feel that I am evolving from a woodworker to a craftsman.
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Bill Hoffman
I have been interested in woodworking for many years although I didn’t get serious until about 10 years ago. Even though I’ve been able to make several projects I thought I could do better and wanted to improve my skills. Taking classes at Marc Adams is giving me the opportunity to learn from many of the best woodworkers across the US. If you listen carefully they tell you their habits and ways of working that make them great woodworkers. I didn’t start with the intention of completing a masters. My first class changed that and I have continued taking classes with a masters in mind. I’ve only taken two classes so far with my third this fall (a rocking chair!). In each one I have learned new skills and improved. I’m looking forward to taking classes in each of the areas in the program and intend to continue to take classes for as long as I can, well beyond just a masters.
go to topBill Hoffman