Kalamazoo graciously hosts the Woodworkers Guild of SW Michigan, a group of hobbyist and professional woodworkers of diverse woodworking interests that meet monthly to share knowledge and craftsmanship skills that cover many facets of woodworking.
Meetings cover a wide range of woodworking topics, often including demonstrations or discussions about members’ projects and troubleshooting.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm.
We meet at the Kalamazoo Makerspace:
1102 E Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Our usual meeting space is the Kzoo Makers Space in downtown Kalamazoo, but we occasionally meet at other shops. Meeting topics vary widely, often involving demonstrations from guild members or professionals in the community. Members are also encouraged to bring and discuss projects, or ask for input/help on works-in-progress.
The organization was started in the spring of 1984. The father of a student at Western Michigan University approached his instructor, Gil Hutchings, stating that he wanted to improve his woodworking skills and was hoping Gil could give instructions once a month. There were a few students, Ray Creager and another that had an interest also. These men invited friends, who also invited friends, some undergraduate students and some alum. It grew to about 20 members who met at the woodworking lab in Kohrman Hall at WMU. Officers were elected, dues were collected, and some instructional VCR tapes purchased to be lent out to members. There were about 60 members as of the 2015-2016 season.
Curious about the woodshop or the Woodworkers Guild of SW Michigan? Schedule a tour to see the space, meet members, and learn how the guild and makerspace work together to support woodworking in our community.
