The exhibition will feature the finest work from Sturt School for Wood. Head of Sturt Mark Viner said Sturt was the oldest craft centre in Australia and dealt with wood, textiles, ceramics and metal work.

"We've had a full class this year for the first time in ten years, and it looks to be full again next year, too," he said.

"There seems to have been a renaissance of interest in contemporary furniture, with a focus on high quality hand skills.

"The graduate exhibition gives our students the chance to show and offer their work for sale and launch their careers."

Sturt also offers a transitionary artists-in-residence program which offers extra support and mentoring to selected students.

The 2015 participants of the artists in residence program will be announced at the exhibition this weekend, along with an award for emerging professionals that will become an annual award.

Sturt student Adrian Olasau has five pieces in this year's exhibition, including a sideboard, chair, bike rack, wall unit and bench.

"I worked with my wife on one of my pieces, she did the textile work, I titled it Mitarbeit, which is the German word for collaboration," he said.

Adrian came to last year's graduation as a prospective student and found the experience really inspiring.

"It was great to see what the students had achieved, and it's been such a quick year since then."

Chris Bartkus was one of the only students without experience in woodwork, coming instead from a visual arts background.

"I think it sets me aside, a lot of my stuff is a bit quirky.

"In woodwork there's a lot of tradition, so it's been really good having the freedom to design what I like.

Students Gabriel Miller and Monette Hoppitt sought to create unique pieces for the exhibition, in keeping with their own interests. Monette created a unique chessboard table and chair for the exhibition.

"I had no experience in ceramics, but I wanted it to be original, I wanted it to be special," she said.

"I wanted two elements, timber and tiles, but I like to put a personal touch on things as an artist."

Gabriel demonstrated his love of music by creating handmade electric guitars.

"I've made a small and compact eight string baritone, single cut, neck through guitar."

"I used a variety of woods including purple heartwood, red ironbark, African ebony, southern silky oak and American black walnut.

"I'm really thankful for the support I've received, Ernie from ET Guitars in Mittagong was a massive help and so were Darryl and Hugh from Gilet Guitars in Sydney. They made the electronics a lot easier."

Lachlan Meaney said his experience as a student of Sturt had been character building.

"I think the hardest thing has been to overcome setbacks and mistakes and keep going, knowing what to prioritise and staying organised.

"It's not satisfying going home if you haven't achieved the goals you set for yourself."

The exhibition opening and graduation ceremony will take place this Saturday, November 22 at 11am.

The exhibition will run from November 22 until December 7.

For more details contact Sturt Gallery on 4860 2083. The gallery is open daily from 10am to 5pm.