Class Description: Let the wood guide you! In this one-day course, you’ll learn basic bowl-carving techniques, including selecting the best trees for carving, breakingdown logs into usable bowl blanks, and practicing the basic axe and knife skills needed for safe and efficient carving. Using only three tools (axe, straight knife, and hook knife), you'll begin carving your own wooden bowl. You will leave with a few blisters on your hands, an appreciation for the therapeutic nature and addictive qualities of bowl carving, and the basic technique, confidence, and reference material needed to continue carving on your own. The small group format allows for safe and individualized instruction. 

Class Date and Time: This one-day workshop is hosted on Saturday, May 18th, 2024 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Total teachable hours are 7 hours.

Materials Fee (included in total class fee): $25 and covers wood blanks for carving, a dedicated workstation, use of carving tools, course materials, personalized instruction, coaching, and encouragement.

Items Students should bring from home: Lightweight work or gardening gloves and safety glasses (optional).

Lunch: Lunch is included in the class fee. If you have any dietary restrictions, please note them when you register.

Instructor Bio: Ian Hart operates a one-man traditional wood and metal shop near Lexington, VA. His work lays heavily on historic tradition, both in design and manufacture, largely involving the same tools and processes used by 17th and 18th Century craftsmen.  Ian formally learned traditional metalwork at the American College of the Building Arts and is a self-taught woodworker.  He apprenticed with Richard Guthrie, a Journeyman Blacksmith and 20-year veteran at Colonial Williamsburg, who taught Ian a passion for taking the time to make things properly, regardless of the cost.  Ian has worked in production, design and management at Cardine Studios, eventually transitioning to his own shop in Lexington, VA where he currently makes direct copies and original iron and wood works rooted in period examples, primarily using a coal forge and hand tools with a few modern pieces of equipment to speed things up. Every piece is hand finished to match historical ironwork.