We operate a Forest School for children 3-12 in the heart of South Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. We create a variety of art inspired by this amazing Forest home that holds and nurtures us.

All of the teachers at Forest School have varying degrees in education and human psychology. We are all naturalists and forever students.

In this Welding 101 class, students will learn how to use basic welding skills through MIG welding. Students will have to opportunity to learn the safety and use of a GMAW-MIG welder.

Grace Gish graduated with an Associates in Science - Welding Technology. Over the past 4 year Grace has taught for Pellissippi Adjunct, Welding 101, Able Trade community classes and commissioned welding individual lessons. In the spring of 2023, Grace started her own business, Gishin' Fabrication, LLC.

Reserve your spot today for only $180! We provide the tools, the instruction, and the materials; you bring your curiosity and eagerness to learn.

Discover the beauty and satisfaction of creating something from raw materials, and who knows, you might just unlock a new passion. We look forward to crafting with you!

Animal Architecture: Birdhouse Building for HumansShells spiral out from snails, bees build elaborate colonies, and birds fill the spring with nests. Human people are not the only ones who practice architecture. Explore buildings and designs of the living world while learning how to build a birdhouse to put up in your own yard! In this class, students will be the architects, constructing and decorating their own Purple Martin Gourd Birdhouse. While many birds are opportunists and build nests just about anywhere, Purple Martins in our region nest almost exclusively in human-built homes. Learn about the rich diversity of animal architects in our forests, and how you can contribute. Open to all skill levels and ages 14(+). Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Ashlee Mays is the Director of the Museum of Infinite Outcomes, an open-air museum of conservation tucked into the historic chestnut ridge of Knoxville, TN. Mays is an artist, printmaker, and former Gold Pass Holder at Dollywood family amusement park. Her work crosses genres of art, ecology, pseudoscience, and game theory. Mays has been teaching art in a variety of settings for over a decade. She is fond of waterfowl and gardens and those who keep them.

Reserve your spot today for only $85! We provide the tools, the instruction, and the materials; you bring your curiosity and eagerness to learn.

Discover the beauty and satisfaction of creating something from raw materials, and who knows, you might just unlock a new passion. We look forward to crafting with you!

In this Welding 101 class, students will learn how to use basic welding skills through MIG welding. Students will have to opportunity to learn the safety and use of a GMAW-MIG welder.

Grace Gish graduated with an Associates in Science - Welding Technology. Over the past 4 year Grace has taught for Pellissippi Adjunct, Welding 101, Able Trade community classes and commissioned welding individual lessons. In the spring of 2023, Grace started her own business, Gishin' Fabrication, LLC.

Reserve your spot today for only $180! We provide the tools, the instruction, and the materials; you bring your curiosity and eagerness to learn.

Discover the beauty and satisfaction of creating something from raw materials, and who knows, you might just unlock a new passion. We look forward to crafting with you!

In this Welding 101 class, students will learn how to create their own decorative Bee and Beehive using basic welding skills. Students will have to opportunity to learn the safety and use of a GMAW-MIG welder. The instructor Grace Gish graduated with an Associates in Science - Welding Technology and over the past 4 year Grace has taught for Pellissippi Adjunct, Welding 101, Able Trade community classes and commissioned welding individual lessons. In the spring of 2023, Grace started her own business, Gishin' Fabrication, LLC.

This class is $180 with all materials included. Only 3 spots available so grab them quick! Please wear all cotton and close toed shoes, the rest of the PPE will be provided.

There is a large focus on Woodworking this month and with the East Tennessee Master Woodworkers’ Show going on we want to showcase our own talented makers here at Able Trade! Come by to see their best put on display and then remember to pop by the Emporium to visit the Master Woodworkers’ Show as well!

Jessie Van der Laan has a M.F.A in Printmaking from UTK, B.F.A. in Printmaking and Drawing from Washington University in St. Louis she focuses on Drawings, collages, and fiber art.

Kelly Hider

Lynne Marinelli Gheno’s recent works on paper investigate a larger scale and a new substrate compared to her drawings on vintage book pages, found ledgers, graphs, and lined paper. Found vintage rub-on decorations are wielded as a drawing tool on photo paper where Ghenov explores the intersections and boundaries of mark-making, collage, print, and decoration.

These three talented artists will be displaying their work together at Able Trade for Gallery Night along with our members.

Are you ready to turn sparks and sawdust into something truly extraordinary?

This unique workshop seamlessly intertwines the rustic charm of woodworking with the fierce power of MIG welding, creating an unforgettable experience where sparks fly - both literally and metaphorically.

Over the course of six hours, you'll learn to navigate the terrain of both woodworking and welding, and by the end of the class, you'll walk away with more than just newfound skills– You'll have created your very own birdhouse, a harmonious fusion of cedar and steel that is sure to be the envy of all your feathered friends.

In the woodworking portion, your instructor Rainey Rawles, will guide you in working with cedar using an array of tools such as planers, jointers, table saws, band saws, and sanders. You'll learn to cut, shape, and finish wood with precision, crafting a cozy little abode for your feathered friends.

Meanwhile, in the welding section, you'll be introduced to the transformative power of the MIG welder by Grace Gish. Here, you'll learn to shape and join steel to create a “tin” roof and add a touch of industrial chic to your birdhouse.

Perfect for anyone who enjoys hands-on learning or is curious about exploring new skills, this class blends two diverse disciplines into one unique experience. Whether you're a seasoned hobbyist or a newcomer to the world of craftsmanship, you'll leave the class with a newfound appreciation for these trades, and of course, a beautiful birdhouse you can proudly say you made with your own two hands.

Reserve your spot today for only $190! We provide the tools, the instruction, and the materials; you bring your curiosity and eagerness to learn.

Discover the beauty and satisfaction of creating something from raw materials, and who knows, you might just unlock a new passion. We look forward to crafting with you!

Artist John Allen will be joining us for September’s First Friday Gallery Night! John works in a range of media but specialize in drawing. Recent works explore ecology through depictions of our interconnectedness with animals. He has a MFA in Art and a BFA in Art, Teach college art at Pellissippi State CC. Join us in admiring his work during September’s gallery night!

We are excited to welcome Arrowmont’s Resident Artists of the Year as our First Friday Featured Artists!

Karena "Kidd" Graves focuses on Sculptural Assemblages, Weavings, Mixed Media textile works.

Rosie Amato focuses on jewelry, metal work and sculpture.

Dongyi Wu focuses on jewelry, wearable art and accessories.

M. Kobe is a painter and sculptor that uses found and natural materials.

Marissa Childers use clay as a means to explore moments of connection and intimacy while celebrating femininity and craft found within domestic spaces. She often finds inspiration by things that society deems as a ‘craft’ or ‘feminine’ such as quilting, sewing, and decoration. These domestic activities heavily influence the work I create and further inform my building process. The various textures and patterns used are intended to evoke a sense of joy and nostalgic comfort, while small hidden details draw you in for a closer look.

Come by for Gallery Night at Able Trade to see these talented Arrowmont artists’ work, see what our Able Trade crew has been up to, and grab a drink and a snack. We will see you soon!

Have you been interested in getting into woodworking, but just didn’t know where to start? Start here! In this introductory class, students will learn how to mill and cut a piece of rough lumber to create a beautiful, handmade cutting board. You will receive training in the safe use of woodshop machines and hand tools, including: jointer, planer, table saw, band saw, router, and drill press. Instructors will also guide you through the process of selecting lumber, determining grain orientation, and selecting a finish for your project. This class is recommended for anyone who is interested in learning the fundamentals of woodworking, proper use of woodshop machinery, or is planning on taking further intermediate or advanced woodworking courses.

Class is limited to eight people. Due to the amount of information covered in the class, we are unable to accommodate deviations from the course syllabus. If you are interested in furthering your woodworking abilities or advice on specific projects, please contact admin@weareabletrade.com for information about private sessions.

Please wear closed-toed shoes and avoid wearing any jewelry or loose-fitting clothing. A $20 supplies and materials fee will be collected the day of the class.

About the instructor:

Rainey Rawles is the owner of Naughty Pine Woodworks, a company that designs and fabricates high-end bondage furniture and accessories. Prior to founding Naughty Pine, she had a career as an exhibition designer, fabricator, and art handler in various museums and galleries in the southeast. A woodworker for ten years, Rainey has held fabrication and technician positions at the High Museum of Art and Savannah College of Art and Design. She received a degree in Fine Art from Kennesaw State University, where she studied painting, woodworking, and sculpture. In her free time, she enjoys cross stitching, whiskey, and watching horror movies– usually, all at the same time.

This THREE week class begins April 19th and runs every Wednesday evening for three weeks. May 31st, June 7th &14th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm Daniel Clay will be teaching this intermediate chip carving class for those of you who are ready to move up a level in your chip carving skills!

Daniel Clay is a woodworker and artist living and working in Knoxville. Daniel’s woodworking education began in 2005 with a boatbuilding apprenticeship at The Carptenter’s Boatshop, in Pemaquid, ME. His experiences building and restoring traditional wooden boats led him to explore other woodworking and design disciplines including timber-framing, furniture and cabinetry, and various styles of traditional woodcarving. In addition to his full-time woodwork, design and art practice in Knoxville, Daniel travels the U.S. teaching chip carving. His writing on the subject has been published in Fine Woodworking Magazine. He is the author of Chip Carving: Techniques For Carving Beautiful Patterns By Hand (August, 2022, Blue Hills Press.)

The class is $175 per person with all materials and tools provided. And you will go home with your very own carved curio shelf!

If you have questions for our instructor please email him at daniel@saturdayboxcompany.com

This THREE week class begins April 19th and runs every Wednesday evening for three weeks. April 19th, 26th, and May 3rd from 6pm - 8pm Daniel Clay will be teaching this intermediate chip carving class for those of you who are ready to move up a level in your chip carving skills!

Daniel Clay is a woodworker and artist living and working in Knoxville. Daniel’s woodworking education began in 2005 with a boatbuilding apprenticeship at The Carptenter’s Boatshop, in Pemaquid, ME. His experiences building and restoring traditional wooden boats led him to explore other woodworking and design disciplines including timber-framing, furniture and cabinetry, and various styles of traditional woodcarving. In addition to his full-time woodwork, design and art practice in Knoxville, Daniel travels the U.S. teaching chip carving. His writing on the subject has been published in Fine Woodworking Magazine. He is the author of Chip Carving: Techniques For Carving Beautiful Patterns By Hand (August, 2022, Blue Hills Press.)

The class is $175 per person with all materials and tools provided. And you will go home with your very own carved curio shelf!

If you have questions for our instructor please email him at daniel@saturdayboxcompany.com

Perched alongside Knoxville’s chestnut ridge sits the Museum of Infinite Outcomes, a museum of conservation.
To conserve something is to preserve it with care. As an open-air museum, our collection meanders through sun-filled gardens, collaborating with the outside world to demonstrate that the things in our reality can only exist in terms of relationships. Located in the Parkridge neighborhood of Knoxville, the Museum features the Library of Infinite Outcomes and a collection of seasonal and rotating exhibitions.
The Museum is directed by artists whose work is informed by fostering natural relationships. Those artists are Ashlee Mays, Logan Szymanowski, and Riley Douglas.

Come join us at Able Trade to see the Museum of Infinite Outcome’s night of art, games, and prizes.

Come by Able Trade to see the ultimate collaboration! Three of our members joined together to create a 3D printed drum set. LOCI Robotics built an incredible 3D printing robot for Prototyp3 and then used that robot to print a custom drum set with Tony of Artifact Custom. Come by Able Trade to watch the robot print, see the finished drum set, and hear Tony play it!

Paul Sherry of Sherry Guitars has been making guitars for almost 20 years. He went to Baylor University for music theory degree but began making guitars and never stopped. Paul is a staggering guitar player himself and so tests out every guitar he makes to be sure it carries the right balance and tone he’s looking for. Come by Able Trade to hear him present on his creative process in building each guitar, ask him questions, hear him play, and check out the guitars he has available for sale!

Have you been interested in getting into woodworking, but just didn’t know where to start? Start here! In this introductory class, students will learn how to mill and cut a piece of rough lumber to create a beautiful, handmade cutting board. You will receive training in the safe use of wood shop machines and hand tools, including: jointer, planer, table saw, band saw, router, and drill press. Rainey will guide you through the process of selecting lumber, determining grain orientation, and selecting a finish for your project. This class is recommended for anyone who is interested in learning the fundamentals of woodworking, proper use of wood shop machinery, or is planning on taking further intermediate or advanced woodworking courses.

Rainey Rawles is the owner of Naughty Pine Woodworks, a company that designs and fabricates high-end bondage furniture and accessories. Prior to founding Naughty Pine, she had a career as an exhibition designer, fabricator, and art handler in various museums and galleries in the southeast. A woodworker for ten years, Rainey has held fabrication and technician positions at the High Museum of Art and Savannah College of Art and Design. She received a degree in Fine Art from Kennesaw State University, where she studied painting, woodworking, and sculpture. In her free time, she enjoys cross stitching, whiskey, and watching horror movies– usually, all at the same time.

Class costs $115 per person with all materials and supplies included and you go home with your own cutting board!

Please wear closed-toed shoes and avoid wearing any jewelry or loose-fitting clothing. If you have questions for our instructor please email her at raineyrawles@gmail.com

Hand planes are a versatile and necessary tool for woodworkers of all skill levels. Instead of purchasing expensive modern metal hand planes, learn how to make a James Krenov style wooden hand plane with Able Trade member and furniture maker, Frank Bowles. Wooden hand planes come in all shapes and sizes, and can be made to fit specific applications where needed. Learn the skills to master the art of plane making from small block planes to large jointer planes. In this 3 day class spanning two weekends, we will be making a smoothing plane, a tool useful for shaping wood and getting a surface as smooth and flat as glass. Students will not only learn how to make a plane, but also how to tune up and sharpen a plane iron. At the end of the class, students will have a grasp of sharpening techniques, know how to make a plane from a block of wood, and walk out with a step-by-step manual for making planes. Included in the price of this class is one Hock plane iron, one plane adjustment hammer, and one plane blank.

Class duration:

March 4th, 5th and 11th. 10am - 5pm.

About the instructor:

Frank owns and operates Nephew, a kids furniture brand, out of Able Trade. He attended Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking in Vancouver BC.

Cost: $300

If you have questions for our instructor please email him at franklinbowles@gmail.com

Rising Moon Farms is a small 56-acre farm located in Philadelphia, TN and founded in 2020 with the goal of bringing fresh organically grown produce and organically raised livestock to your home and our local restaurants. They will be selling fresh eggs and other goodies at Able Trade during our March first Friday so bring your farmer’s market baskets and get ready to load up!

Join us for a unique date night experience where you can make not only memories, but something to take home! In this class, couples will work together to create two beautiful, unique charcuterie boards that join together like a puzzle piece.  

Your instructor will guide you through the process of designing your boards, using machines to cut and sand your pieces, and selecting a finish for your completed board. 

Afterward, enjoy a spread of complimentary wine and cheese on your newly made platters! 

Don’t have a date? Treat yourself to your own date night– because you deserve wine and cheese too! 

Class is limited to eight people. Due to the amount of information covered in the class, we are unable to accommodate deviations from the course syllabus. If you are interested in furthering your woodworking abilities or advice on specific projects, please contact contact@weareabletrade.com for information about private sessions. 

Please wear closed-toed shoes and avoid wearing any jewelry or loose-fitting clothing. 

A $20 supplies and materials fee will be collected the day of the class. 

About the Instructor:

Rainey Rawles is the owner of Naughty Pine Woodworks, a company that designs and fabricates high-end bondage furniture and accessories. Prior to founding Naughty Pine, she had a career as an exhibition designer, fabricator, and art handler in various museums and galleries in the southeast. A woodworker for ten years, Rainey has held fabrication and technician positions at the High Museum of Art and Savannah College of Art and Design. She received a degree in Fine Art from Kennesaw State University, where she studied painting, woodworking, and sculpture. In her free time, she enjoys cross stitching, whiskey, and watching horror movies– usually, all at the same time.

In this class, we welcome any women, trans, or non-binary people to learn the basics of woodworking. Class will be led by a woman instructor. Have you been interested in getting into woodworking, but just didn’t know where to start? Start here!

In this introductory class, students will learn how to mill and cut a piece of rough lumber to create beautiful, handmade cutting board. You will receive training in the safe use of woodshop machines and hand tools, including: jointer, planer, table saw, band saw, router, and drill press.

Instructors will also guide you through the process of selecting lumber, determining grain orientation, and selecting a finish for your project.

This class is recommended for anyone who is interested in learning the fundamentals of woodworking, proper use of woodshop machinery, or is planning on taking further intermediate or advanced woodworking courses.

Class is limited to eight people. Due to the amount of information covered in the class, we are unable to accommodate deviations from the course syllabus. If you are interested in furthering your woodworking abilities or advice on specific projects, please contact admin@weareabletrade.com for information about private sessions.

Please wear closed-toed shoes and avoid wearing any jewelry or loose-fitting clothing. A $20 supplies and materials fee will be collected the day of the class.

About the instructor:

Rainey Rawles is the owner of Naughty Pine Woodworks, a company that designs and fabricates high-end bondage furniture and accessories. Prior to founding Naughty Pine, she had a career as an exhibition designer, fabricator, and art handler in various museums and galleries in the southeast. A woodworker for ten years, Rainey has held fabrication and technician positions at the High Museum of Art and Savannah College of Art and Design. She received a degree in Fine Art from Kennesaw State University, where she studied painting, woodworking, and sculpture. In her free time, she enjoys cross stitching, whiskey, and watching horror movies– usually, all at the same time.

Unfortunately our instructor was sick for the December 17th class so we have rescheduled it and we have a few spots left! Daniel Clay is a woodworker, designer and artist living and working in Knoxville. He has written for Fine Woodworking magazine and is the author of Chip Carving: Techniques For Carving Beautiful Patterns By Hand. In this class he will teach you the basics of chip carving and walk you through carving your own holiday snowflake ornaments or if you are no longer in the Christmas spirit he has offered to carve something else instead. The class is open to all levels of experience, from beginners to accomplished woodworkers. Tools and materials provided.

Cost: $80

Have you been interested in getting into woodworking, but just didn’t know where to start? Start here! In this introductory class, students will learn how to mill and cut a piece of rough lumber to create a beautiful, handmade cutting board. You will receive training in the safe use of woodshop machines and hand tools, including: jointer, planer, table saw, band saw, router, and drill press. Instructors will also guide you through the process of selecting lumber, determining grain orientation, and selecting a finish for your project. This class is recommended for anyone who is interested in learning the fundamentals of woodworking, proper use of woodshop machinery, or is planning on taking further intermediate or advanced woodworking courses.

Class is limited to eight people. Due to the amount of information covered in the class, we are unable to accommodate deviations from the course syllabus. If you are interested in furthering your woodworking abilities or advice on specific projects, please contact admin@weareabletrade.com for information about private sessions.

Please wear closed-toed shoes and avoid wearing any jewelry or loose-fitting clothing. A $20 supplies and materials fee will be collected the day of the class.

About the instructor:

Rainey Rawles is the owner of Naughty Pine Woodworks, a company that designs and fabricates high-end bondage furniture and accessories. Prior to founding Naughty Pine, she had a career as an exhibition designer, fabricator, and art handler in various museums and galleries in the southeast. A woodworker for ten years, Rainey has held fabrication and technician positions at the High Museum of Art and Savannah College of Art and Design. She received a degree in Fine Art from Kennesaw State University, where she studied painting, woodworking, and sculpture. In her free time, she enjoys cross stitching, whiskey, and watching horror movies– usually, all at the same time.

Let’s be honest no one is ready to jump back into full swing the first week of January and that includes those of us at Able Trade. We will NOT be doing our typical First Friday Gallery night in January to give everyone some extended down time. We will see you again March 3rd!

Because our Dec. 10th class filled up so quickly, we decided to offer a second class! Daniel Clay is a woodworker, designer and artist living and working in Knoxville. He has written for Fine Woodworking magazine and is the author of Chip Carving: Techniques For Carving Beautiful Patterns By Hand. In this class he will teach you the basics of chip carving and walk you through carving your own holiday snowflake ornaments. The class is open to all levels of experience, from beginners to accomplished woodworkers. Tools and materials provided.

Cost: $80