Sawdust Studios invites you: ‘Pull up a chair, grab a tool, and build something remarkable.’
A fine layer of sawdust settles on workbenches and tool surfaces, casting a warm, golden glow reminiscent of an old Western film. And in a way, Sawdust Studios — a community woodworking space — feels like one: rugged, adventurous, and full of possibility.
In one corner, a skilled 90-year-old man leans over a bandsaw, studying his work with careful precision. Across the room, a middle-aged woman steadies her hands on a wood lathe, shaping her latest project. A man in his late 20s measures a fresh board of lumber, ready to bring his vision to life.
Founder Cruz Chavez is at the heart of it all, joined by his newest co-owner, Zach Gramke, who took on that role just three months ago.
A Vision Takes Shape
Chavez began his studies at the University of Missouri as a pre-med biology student. However, after graduating, he realized that medical school wasn’t his true calling, so he transitioned to construction, starting with framing and ultimately moving into remodeling.
“I picked it up really easily, and I started a home construction company,” Chavez said, referring to Cruz Custom Construction, which launched in 2015. “In the process of doing that, I also started getting better at woodworking.”
As his woodworking skills advanced, so did an idea. He imagined a space where individuals could learn, create, and collaborate while enjoying unlimited access to quality tools. With support from family and friends, Chavez made his vision a reality by launching Sawdust Studios on Nelwood Drive in July 2020.
In August 2023, he teased expansion plans on Facebook by posting a photo of a renovated space on Paris Road — their current location. The new 7,000-square-foot facility officially opened in December 2023, offering even more room for creativity and collaboration.
Let’s Get Down to Sawin’
Sawdust Studios offers a variety of hands-on opportunities for woodworking enthusiasts of all skill levels, from casual hobbyists to dedicated craftspeople.
Members, for example, enjoy 24/7 access to a fully equipped facility after completing a two-hour shop safety class that covers equipment usage and best practices. Membership also includes several perks, such as free lumber delivery from Cardwell Hardwoods, a complimentary thirty-minute consultation with a professional woodworker, and access to donated lumber. More details are available on the Sawdust Studios website.
The studio also offers workshop classes for individuals looking to experience woodworking in a structured class environment before committing to a membership or just for recreational enjoyment. Currently led by Chavez, these sessions explore a variety of single-session projects, including spoon carving, cutting boards, and birdhouses. No initial safety class is required to participate.
For a more immersive learning experience, Sawdust Studios offers a table-making course led by master craftsman Joe Marshall. This course includes 15 hours of personalized instruction, allowing participants to create a unique piece that can become a cherished family heirloom.
Additionally, Sawdust Studios provides an apprenticeship program. This subscription-based initiative enables participants to enhance their skills through a variety of courses. Each project is divided into four two-hour sessions, delivering hands-on guidance that helps develop technical skills while fostering a strong sense of community.
A New Chapter
Gramke, a former elementary educator with Columbia Public Schools for ten years, first discovered Sawdust Studios through the apprenticeship program in January 2024. However, woodworking was not new to him.
“I had a really fantastic shop teacher in middle school, and I even had the opportunity to take him as a shop teacher in high school,” says Gramke. “I spent, like, six years in woodshop, and over the last twenty years, I’ve made several things as more of an amateur.”
Following the upheaval of COVID-19 and the loss of his wife to cancer in 2023, Gramke was in search of a fresh start — one rooted in passion and creativity. After several months in the apprenticeship program, he became increasingly aligned with the studio’s mission, and in October, he approached Chavez with a new idea.
“I mentioned possibly coming on here and seeing if he [Chavez] needed any assistance or partnership. At first, he was, like, ‘I’ve never really considered that.’ And then a week later, he’s, like, ‘I can’t stop thinking about it.’”
Building a Community
In January 2025, after a year of involvement with Sawdust Studios, Gramke officially became a co-owner, and the partnership has since proven to be a perfect match. He and Chavez share a common vision: to cultivate an inclusive space where collaboration and community flourish.
“As a Latino man who has experienced exclusion based on the color of my skin, I feel it’s been very important and integral to our success that, no matter who you are, I don’t have any preconceived notions about your abilities or whether you’re going to fit in here,” says Chavez. “We provide a safe place for everybody because I haven’t always felt safe everywhere.”
The name “Sawdust Studios” was intentionally chosen to move away from traditionally masculine branding, ensuring the space feels welcoming to all. Chavez wants woodworkers to feel empowered to create, no matter their age, gender, race, or experience level. Gramke supports this vision of inclusivity and further emphasizes the studio’s desire to foster a close-knit community; part of that mission involves actively engaging with and participating in the larger COMO community.
“We’ve partnered with Missouri River Relief, CCUA [Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture], Fretboard Coffee, and the farmers market,” says Gramke. “It just feels like we’re always meeting incredible people.”
In mid-March, CCUA partnered with Sawdust Studios to host a raised planter building class. Participants gained hands-on woodworking experience while learning the fundamentals of gardening. Similarly, Sawdust Studios is looking to do “Coffee with Cruz” at Fretboard. The studio will create boards for Fretboard to serve their coffee on, and Fretboard will feature a weekly “woodworking tip of the day” video to help boost creators’ efficiency.
Chavez refers to this approach as “cross-pollinating” businesses, fully embracing the studio’s mission of empowering individuals with practical skills while fostering meaningful connections within the community.
Through collaborations, Chavez and Gramke frequently witness people bringing their dreams to life. Their ultimate goal is to make woodworking accessible to anyone interested, offering the tools — both literal and figurative — to create something meaningful. Reflecting this vision, their guiding philosophy is simple and unanimous: Let’s build something remarkable. And to them, anything has the potential to be remarkable.
“It doesn’t have to be a big dining room table,” says Gramke. “It can be a bowl. It just needs to be something you’re proud of.”
Sawdust Studios
3150 Paris Rd, Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 333-7297
