The power of women comes to life in Sturt's Beyond Ordinary exhibition

Welby resident and woodworker Dale Dryen and furniture designer Ruth Thompson came together to "put women at the front, especially wood-makers".

"When we say we are woodworkers, people are surprised," Ms Dryen said.

"We wanted young women to know it was a possibility to do this."

Sturt has been a hub for creativity and craftsmanship, particularly with woodwork, for over 80 years.

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The pair have been working hard for the last 18 months to bring Beyond Ordinary to life, which was unveiled on February 13 at Sturt.

Forty-five expressions of interest came through from Australia, the United States and New Zealand before the organisers decided on 28, which included themselves.

Twenty-six woodworkers, one mosaic artist and one porcelain light maker from across the country have their works front and centre, and all have a unique story to tell.

Eleven of the makers featured graduated from the Sturt School for Wood and two completed residencies at Australia's oldest design institution.

"We wanted the exhibition to show the diversity of backgrounds and techniques and paths in woodwork, so not just for making," Ms Dryen, a former Sturt graduate said.

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Not all of the women discovered their passion for their craft right away - a former ballet dancer, engineer, scientist, tattoo artist and NIDA graduate have brought their experiences to their current practices.

Ms Dryen initially trained as a teacher-librarian and taught English as a second language at a high school level before she "had an itch to go overseas".

She ventured over to Italy and Cyprus where she taught English before she returned to Australia in the late 1980s.

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The woodworker decided she "wanted a change in direction" and embarked on her journey at Sturt in the 1990s.

She completed a one year furniture course at the institution's School for Wood and also taught at Sturt for 20 years.

Her wall shelf titled Way off Broadway, is inspired by Dutch abstract painter Piet Mondrian.

The furniture designer said "everybody was blown away" at the opening.

Attendees can purchase pieces that are featured and can see the showcase until April 3.

You can learn more about the makers here.

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