A male student with brown hair look intently at poplar bench he is working on indoors in a classroom setting.

Fine Furniture students reimagine tradition at Craigdarroch Castle

Stately rooms at Craigdarroch Castle will be getting a contemporary make over in a unique exhibition of work by students, faculty and alumni from the Fine Furniture program at Camosun College.

A female student in a green t-shirt poses for a photo while standing next to a female instructor in a burgandy top. The two people are posing in a carpenty ship next to an upturned bench that is a work in progress.

Camosun College

Fine Furniture student Marie Claude Bleau and instructor Sandra Carr

Several Victorian rooms in Craigdarroch Castle will be reimagined with contemporary furniture as part of the Design Victoria festival. The Camosun Fine Furniture exhibition runs from May 8 until May 26.

“Students have been creating original work based on the history, architecture and visual referents of the castle,” explains Sandra Carr, Fine Furniture Program instructor. “The exhibit celebrates the rich history of craft and design, and illustrates the relevance historic work can have for present day makers.”

Celebrating a rich history of craft and design

Craigdarroch Castle is a Canadian National Historic Site owned and operated by the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Society.

“This is the first ever exhibition of its kind in the Castle and we are delighted to host the Fine Furniture program from Camosun,” says John Hughes, executive director of Craigdarroch Castle. “It promises to be an interesting meeting of the past and the present.”

The Camosun Fine Furniture exhibition runs from May 8 until May 26, Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Tickets and admission details are available on the Craigdarrock Castle website.

The Fine Furniture / Joinery Trades Foundation Certificate is a full-time, 10-month program offered at the Interurban campus. Classroom theory is combined with hands-on experience so students can develop the skills and knowledge for employment.

A lot of hand made fine furniture chairs are grouped together for a photograph.

A path to Trades

If you're in high school and looking for an early start in a Trade like Fine Furniture and Joinery, check out our dual credit programs.

Contact information

Rodney Porter

Camosun College

250-889-7494

porterr@camosun.ca