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Masa is a very experienced carver and woodworker who taught workshops for us before the pandemic.  This new workshop is a way to kick start having him teach in person again.  For an additional free two hour demonstration of his techniques, consider attending the Nov 8th evening program, click here.

This carving workshop is limited to current members of the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers because of facility policy.

As a workshop, you will likely learn from others as well as Masa, and you will be expected to share your ideas, frustrations, and insights with others.  Be prepared to stretch yourself, and help others do the same.

Rather than a class to make a specific project, this is a workshop where you will have the freedom to design and execute your own project.  It could be a vessel, bowl, kitchen accessory, abstract or practical art, or a  piece just for exploration.  You might decide to focus only on design and not spend any time on execution.  You might bring in several pieces of challenging wood and explore multiple ideas.

There will be two sessions, four hours each, which will likely not be long enough to complete what you start, but they should be enough to get you started.  We'll figure out whether to schedule additional sessions later.  Masa has some unique abilities to "read the wood", to look at a piece and see what to make from it.  He likes to exploit flaws, knots, natural forms, checks, or blemishes and weave them into the end result.  A goal of the workshop is to encourage you to work on developing those same abilities.

You will bring your own challenging piece of wood (BYOW).  Don't be limited by what you already have.  You can buy something at Goby or Crosscut,  see Larry Wade's stash of logs and wood, recycle something, spot a burl or a fallen tree.  The wood can be green or dry.

You are to bring your own tools, but you can also use those in the club's tool library.  We will have a Shop Attendant present at both sessions to assist those members who are not certified.  However, during the workshop we will only be able to use the equipment in the Studio, not any in the Machine Room.  You will have to arrange that access or use your own power tools or those of a friend.

Guild classes are Member-only classes.  If you are not a member or need to renew, visit the Membership webpage and Join Now.  However, to attend this workshop you must also have completed the INTRO TO GUILD SAFETY class, which is difficult to get into on short notice..

Check out the Guild Scholarship Program to see if you qualify.

Review Shop Safety and Covid Information.

• Have your COVID vaccination on file in the shop computer. If not, email it to carol.boyd@guildoforegonwoodworkers.org within 3 days of the class or your registration will be canceled.
• You are in good health, not living with anyone who is ill, have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days

Class Cancellation Policy

The class coordinator is Tom Rich, tom@tomrich.me, 503-941-6570.