We have another great season planned for 2022 with some of the finest master teachers in the world coming to our woodshop in the lovely Camden, Maine historic district.
We will be hosting Mike Pekovich, editor of Fine Woodworking Magazine who will teach “Mastering your Hand Tools on May 28-29. Mike will share a lifetime of tricks and techniques for using and sharpening a basic set of hand tools.
We have a heavy focus on traditional carving this season. Instructors include award winning master artisans. In order to maximize the learning experience, our focus is always on small classes and the very best quality teachers. We welcome all skill levels and try to make things fun in our wonderfully ambient and comfortable shop, within a block of the Camden village shops, harbour, and restaurants. We emphasize camaraderie and a low-key atmosphere. There are options during the week for a tour of the Lie-Nielson Toolworks and also for a class sail on the Penobscot Bay with a local sea caption friend.
2022 instructors include: Florida based Alexander Grabovetskiy teaching classical woodcarving (June 13-17, 2022). Alex will also be returning in August (8-12) for a Grinling Gibbons carving workshop. Alex has won many awards, including “World’s Finest Carver”. He was recently featured in Fine Woodworking Magazine (Nov/Dec. 2022).
Al Breed won the highest achievement in furniture making, the Cartouche Award from the Society of Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM). He will be teaching “Carving in the Newport style” on July 11-15, 2022. Based in NH, Al is the premier maker and expert on 18th century Newport, RI furniture.
VA Beach period furniture maker, Ray Journigan, will be coming back in 2022 (September 19-24) to teach “Carving for 18th Century Furniture”. Ray is also a winner of the SAPFM Cartouche award and loves working with students of all levels. Pieces we will be carving will cover much of what you would find on a high style Philadelphia highboy including an elaborate Chippendale acanthus and shell design on a drawer front, flame finials, rosettes, pineapples, and given time, a baroque apron relief.
If there’s enough interest, we also have the potential for a Bellamy eagle class taught by the owner, Wm. Francis Brown (Bellamy Eagles | William Francis Brown | Line And Berry |Camden, Maine). Other classes include a fanback windsor chair with Shawn Murphy, and a Shaker ladderback chair with David Douyard. Let us know what else you’d like to see!
William is establishing a scholarship program this year to encourage local high school and college age individuals with a high level of interest and motivation to enable them to take classes at the Maine Coast Workshop. We feel that much of our rich local heritage and older ways are becoming lost arts. We want to do all we can to introduce young folk to the wonders and joys of traditional Maine hand crafts.
For more information, the website is: About our School | Maine Coast Workshop
We are also seeking local hosts who would be willing to lodge international (and USA) students and instructors for 5-6 day workshops for a minimal fee. Contact owner, Wm. Francis Brown for more information: dei.gratia123@gmail.com. 434-907-5427