Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking

Vidars Chair

Inside Passage can quite literally be defined as a journey happening or coming from within. Students are encouraged to explore the intimate relationship that exists between the wood, the tools and the details of fine cabinetmaking.
The craftsman’s journey is not only an exterior one of skill and accuracy of intent, but an interior passage of patience, integrity and quiet reflection.

James Krenov
Robert Van Norman

Our School is founded on and dedicated to the teachings of James Krenov
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Alumni & Faculty Exhibition

Saturday, May 5th 2012, 6–9pm

Seventh Annual Student Alumni and Faculty Exhibition takes place  at the Roberts Creek Community Hall

Artisan Program

Begins Monday, May 28th 2012, 8am

An introduction to the teachings of James Krenov, this is a great place to begin your Journey.

Craftsman Program

Begins Monday, Sept. 3rd 2012 8am

Develop an intimate relationship with our chosen material and the teachings of James Krenov.

Barbara Shelton

Featured Alumni

Barbara Shelton is a two year graduate of Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking. While arriving at the school with no experience in the craft, she has established herself as one of the finest craftsman to come out of the school. She resides in Victoria, British Columbia where she shares a shop with partner Michal Opalski, also a graduate of the school.

Barbara Shelton

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Upward Spiral

It has been a very busy fall at the school. Our second year students are nearing the completion of their chairs and first years students have begun the Upward Spiral exercise.

The Resident Craftsman students have been carefully fitting the live compound angle tenons of their back splats to the crest rail and lumbar rails while dialing in the fit between the crest rail and legs at the same time. This coming week they will move onto fitting and shaping the arms, which evolves fitting an angled, mortise and tenon on the curve of the back leg. Then onto finish and wrapping the seat.

Our Craftsman program students have completed their fundamental exercises and have moved onto the Upward Spiral exercise, the reproduction of the Andaman Padauk box that JK made in 1969. While the wood and the fittings will differ from the original, all other details no matter how insignificant will remain unchanged. All materials for this exercise are provided including the wood, hinges and lock.
Each of woods they will be using, have their own properties, and I mean this in the most unscientific way. More »