JACKSON, Wyo. – General public sign-up is officially open for the Wonder Institute’s highly anticipated Summer 2026 Maker-in-Residence series. The classes are filling fast!
The Wonder Institute is keeping the cohorts strictly limited to three to five students to ensure a true master-apprentice experience, the remaining benches will fill quickly. Step away from the noise of power tools and reconnect with the roots of traditional woodworking, now is the moment to jump in.
Summer program
The Primitive Stool Class (Foundational Prerequisite)
A one-day, 8-hour introductory intensive where participants learn the fundamentals of green-wood joinery by splitting a log and building a complete stool. Completion of this class is a required prerequisite for the advanced August workshops.
- Dates available (pick one): July 15, July 18, or July 25, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Public Tuition: $195
- Youth Scholarships: To support local talent, two full-tuition scholarships are reserved for the stool classes, with priority given to local high school students.
The Master Sequence (Advanced Intensive)
A deep-dive, 2-class sequence for dedicated makers covering complex traditional joinery across two distinct design heritages.
- Welsh Stick Chair (16 hrs): August 8–9, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Japanese Andon Lamp (16 hrs): August 22–23, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Public Tuition (2-Class Sequence): $1,245
The Welsh Stick Chair (16 Hours): The Icon. Moving from seat to structure, students will craft a legacy chair. This session teaches the fundamentals of chair construction. 
The Japanese Andon Lamp (16 Hours): The Masterwork. Exploring the quiet beauty of Japanese woodworking, students construct a traditional Andon lantern frame. This workshop focuses on precision joinery and the application of translucent washi paper to create a functional object of everyday beauty.
