Thirty years ago, a deadly hurricane ripped through the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina, destroying many of its historic homes and buildings. A shortage of skilled artisans meant it took years to rebuild the city. Today, a generation of aspiring artists is learning traditional building skills at a local college where job placement is 100%. VOA’s Julie Taboh traveled to the fast-developing coastal city to see how students and faculty at this unique college meet a growing and urgent need.
Modern College Teaches Ancient Craftsmanship
- By Julie Taboh
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American College of the Building Arts student Leigh Yarbrough and her instructor Simeon Warren restore a tombstone, Charleston, S.C., Sept. 17, 2019. (J. Taboh/VOA News)
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The American College of the Building Arts is housed in an old trolly barn, Charleston, S.C., Sept. 17, 2019. (J. Taboh/VOA News)
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Sunlight streams through a stained glass window at the American College of the Building Arts, Charleston, S.C., Sept. 18, 2019. (J. Taboh/VOA News)
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Students work on a woodworking project in a Timber Framing class at the American College of the Building Arts, Charleston, S.C., Sept. 17, 2019. (J. Taboh/VOA News)