My ten weeks with the UW Artisan Program have been an extremely enjoyable and enriching experience; definitely one of the very best of my life and one that I will treasure forever.

I am usually a self-learner, but what a difference this course made for me! I would never have thought we would be able to produce pieces of such quality and complexity in such a short 10 weeks, but Tom masterfully broke everything down into small parts and under his supervision and encouragement they made us believe we could do it…and we did it.

I really loved the people at the school; the students’ wildly different backgrounds and common passion for woodworking resulted in a wonderfully fun, creative and supportive team dynamics; the teachers’ generosity, experience, and enthusiasm skillfully lead us through a thorough, fully hands-on, tour of all important aspects and techniques of traditional woodworking and left us confident we can tackle any project we may choose to do next.

Filippo Tampieri (Montreal, Canada)

Resident Student, Artisan Program

A great place to learn about woodworking without power tools. Tom and his whole team are very skilled and excellent teachers. It’s a laid back environment with lovely people who can make anyone feel at home regardless of your experience.

Alison Waddell

I attended the Joinery workshop this weekend and had a great experience. As a teacher I can also say it was excellent educationally speaking. A relaxed, positive atmosphere in a clean, bright workspace. Clear knowledgeable instruction with ample support along the way. I walked out with a product I was proud of, despite being exhausted from the previous work week. It would be hard for me to say how it could be better. Also great customer service when I had a rescheduling issue for a previously booked bootcamp. The same spirit of community that is a hallmark of Cape Breton lives at the Unplugged Workshop. Thanks to all the staff.

David Field

Resident Student

Amazing Woodshop with great teachers with Tom and Dave. Unreal atmosphere. I took three short day time classes : Intros to hand planes, hand tools and will be finishing last one on hand cut dovetails! Great experience for a tadpole newbie to hands tools for myself

Mike Greene

Resident Student

Following him since the beginning or close to, have both of his book, a bunch of his music, took a course from him, sat with him!! A great guy, an awesome instructor, a beautiful human, wish we lived closer!! Long life to The Unplugged Woodshop!!

David Gendron

Resident Student