Furniture Finishing & Restoration 1S23
Have a piece of furniture that has potential, but could use some TLC or repair? Or a piece that needs to be refinished? Join Furniture Finishing & Restoration!
Join a shop away from home, with tools, mentorship and community. Work on a project of your choice in an open-format classroom; the teacher will circulate and give instruction at all levels, but there is not a set curriculum. Bring your piece to the first class. Storage is limited; no large dressers. Limit 10 students.
(If upholstery is required, see our Upholstery class, which will also address minor structural repairs.)
Masks required at all times indoors. Proof of vaccination required.
I wanted to learn a new skill, especially from Mr. Gleason. Mr. Michael Gleason is one of those instructors who are not only highly skilled but can also teach their skills to students. The instructor is superb. My fellow classmates were enjoyable to be with and learn from their projects.
I took this class because I wanted to learn some new skills while restoring family furniture I had inherited. The class was very independent from the start. Mike came around and talked through your vision and what steps to work on first and then you were able to get started right away. Both Mike and Michael were always around for questions.
I was in a post-COVID slump and was looking for an activity. I was also really interested in learning a new skill in a community setting. I wasn't disappointed: the Schoolhouse felt so welcoming! I had to miss one week, and when I came back the following week, I walked in and the wood smell of the space just filled me up!!! I loved that I could work at my own pace but still feel like I was part of a group. I loved how knowledgeable Michael was-- he always had a solution. I would definitely take this class again!
Michael Gleason
Michael Gleason made custom cabinetry and furniture at his company, Gleason, Hendrick & Devine from 1981 to 2014. Before that, he made custom furniture and did antique restoration with Nils Johnson at A.G. Johnson & Son from 1972 to 1981. He began teaching at the Eliot School with Nils Johnson and has taught here ever since, for over three decades.
Bring your piece of furniture to the first class. You may store it here for the semester; attach a tag with your name, contact information, and semester. No large items (sofas, love seats), please.
You will discuss the following supplies with your instructor at the first class:
goggles
rubber gloves
cotton rags
steel wool
sandpaper (120 & 220 grit)
1 quart denatured alcohol
1 quart paint remover