Carving Symposium Wrapup

THE GUILD’S WOODCARVING SYMPOSIUM—MAY 17, 2014

Woodcarving can be a lot things, including 18th century furniture shells and sunbursts, sculpture, artwork on flat panels, ball & claw feet, lettering on signs, and scroll work. The symposium had a total of eight presenters so woodworkers could take in talks and demonstrations given by experts in all of these areas. They covered carving fundamentals and techniques, design, tools, sharpening, and even some history. The presentations were popular: rather than staying with their own specialty, many people took in a variety of topics.

Over one hundred people from around New England came to Pinkerton Academy in Derry. The Guild, fortunate to be able to use Pinkerton’s facilities, had five classroom presentations and three ongoing shop demonstrations so there was always something to see. The Guild thanks Jack Grube, director of Pinkerton’s Career and Technical Education program, and Steve Sackmann, Pinkerton’s woodworking instructor for hosting the event.

Those attending got a lot from the demonstrations. The benches’ overhead cameras helped people see, the large classrooms allowed the demonstrators to have people gather around their benches, and the presenters were available for questions and advice. Both sessions of Dimitrios Klitsas’ ‘Fundamentals of Carving’ presentation were standing room only. But you will be able to see them as they were video recorded and after some editing, will be added to the Guild’s online video library.

Next year’s symposium will be the renowned woodturning symposium to be held at Pinkerton Academy on May 9th.