American College of the Building Arts

Thank you to everyone who joined us and FREDERIC for a workshop on plaster and decorative finishes! We were thrilled to have two of our talented students, Olivia and Kris Lowe, there to lead the workshop and share their skills and passion for the building arts.

From our stone shop to the streets of Charleston, these hand-carved rosettes were a special undertaking for Laurel, A Collective. Students gained real-world experience while creating pieces that will be enjoyed on King Street long after they graduate.

📹: Lindy Collins Keiffer

Capstone Journeys 🪚 Lee Brooks, an Architectural Carpentry student (and recent grad!), put in roughly 400 hours on this Chippendale-style drop-front secretary desk. Tune in to hear all about this showstopping piece!

Shoutout to the creative, talented, hardworking women of ACBA—students and faculty alike.

Capstone Journeys 🪚 Hear from Thomas Dezii, an Architectural Carpentry Senior (and now 2026 graduate!), on the process and materials behind his final project: a Gothic Revival-style confessional for St. Patrick Catholic Church here in Charleston.

With no hammers, power tools, or fire to speak of, the Architecture studio just might be the quietest place at ACBA to work…but you never know what’s unfolding on the page and on the screen. Take a closer look.

Boardroom ceiling loading... 🔄 Plaster Senior Lindsey Cockburn’s capstone project was an Adams-style plaster ceiling for the ACBA boardroom. It’s always an honor when a student chooses the school as their project’s final destination, and one reason why this building is so uniquely special. 🏛️

CAPSTONE JOURNEYS ⚒️ We last took a sneak peek at Senior Architectural Stone Carving student Albert Garone’s capstone project when it was less of a refined face, more of a marble block. Tune in for the incredible finished bust, which will soon make its way to Monticello!

Congratulations, Albert, and a special thanks to Professor Kincannon, Chair of the Stone Department, for his support in bringing this project to life.

CAPSTONE JOURNEYS 🔥 Senior Blacksmithing student Neil Ziolkowski was commissioned by a neighbor to craft a forged iron entry gate—the perfect final project for his time at ACBA. With its functional details and a South Carolina-inspired focal point, we were excited to share the final result at our Capstone Reception. Sound up for the details!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our 2026 Capstone Reception! It was a joy to share the hard work, dedication, and artistry of our graduating seniors with the community. Congratulations to them all!