Lighting Design with the CNC

Anderson Ranch’s Facilitated Studio Practice approach provides artists the opportunity to work on independent projects while receiving regular one-on-one mentoring and critique sessions with Anderson Ranch artistic staff and interns. Each participant receives an assigned studio space, orientation and access to equipment, as well as five hours of weekly technical guidance in the Ranch’s state-of-the-art facilities. This program affords artists the experience enjoyed by national and international artists who access our state-of-the-art studios. Participants may expand their practices, take artistic risks, try new media or complete works for exhibition. Applicants must submit project proposals or portfolios for approval. A limited number of participants will be accepted and rigorous health and safety standards, as well as social distancing requirements, must be followed. *Studios are open 24 hours a day and on weekends for students enrolled in multiple weeks, with limited use of equipment due to safety requirements. The machine room is only available when monitored - weekdays 9 AM-5 PM & Tues./Thurs. 7-9 PM. Facilitated Studio Practice winter sessions run January 9-27 and participants may register for one, two or all three weeks. Cost is $1,000 per week.  Private dorm rooms are available at Anderson Ranch for one, two or three weeks for an additional fee; please inquire for details and availability. Contact Liz Ferrill to apply: lferrill@andersonranch.org  

Bending represents a dramatic departure from most traditional fine woodworking. Rather than working with rectilinear geometry, artists lean into the materiality of the wood and explore its natural strengths through curvature. Reference faces are often non-existent, so joinery requires some creative thinking and novel use of machinery and hand tools. In this innovative workshop that bridges woodworking and digital fabrication, we utilize the CNC Router to fabricate jigs and molds for bending and cutting joinery. Basic drawing techniques in Rhinoceros 3-D are introduced as students design and prototype a project unique to their personal style.

This fun and technically challenging course for teens expands digital fabrication skills using the computer-numerically-controlled router (CNC). Students learn basic 3-D modeling techniques to design functional furniture objects. Projects are cut out of plywood on the CNC and laser cutters. Workflows cover toolpathing and g-code generation, material setup, machine operation, and wood finishing. Everyone walks away with a finished piece of furniture and some new fabrication skills.