16th April 2024
At last, we can start to see the sunlight streaming into the workshop, which makes a pleasant change!
Since our last newsletter we have put on a private birthday carving experience and have a full term-time class who are all busy beavering away at various projects; a relief carving of ducks, a sign for a woodland, and a carving of a seated lady.
I have been busy carving memorials, whilst Tam has been setting them all out. She has her college assessment this Friday, which I’m sure she’ll nail.
This month we’d like to flag the Wells Stone Carving Festival and Salisbury Plain Arts Trail as dates for your diary, see below for more details.
Best wishes,
Henry & Tam
As we’re not teaching on the bank holiday Monday, we thought you might want to get your stone fix in here at the Wells Stone Carving Festival.
Taking place at The Bishop’s Barn, a medieval tithe barn in the heart of the city, a group of talented stone carvers from across the UK will spend just three days turning a block of stone into a piece of sculptural artwork. Dean Harris, Marie-Claire Hamilton, Maya Czajkowski, Pippa Unwin, and Nick Durnan are of the 22 artists that are lined up, showing their skills, please go and support them.
The artists will be given the same size and type of local stone to produce a free-carved piece created from their own imaginations. Come and see the dedication and skill this unique craft requires firsthand, try your hand at letter cutting and carving, and bid on the artwork you’d like to own on the final day auction. This event is a fantastic opportunity to own an individual piece of art crafted by some of the most talented people in their field.
WHERE: The Bishop’s Barn, Wells, BA5 1UN
WHEN:
Saturday 4 May 2024 10am–6pm
Sunday 5 May 2024 10am–6pm
Monday 6 May 10am–3pm
FREE ENTRY
Here’s a date for your diary. We are venue 41 and here is a link to the catalogue:
https://www.plainartssalisbury.co.uk/salisbury-art-trail.html
We will be offering hands-on ‘Have a go’ sessions on the weekends, check out the courses page for times and dates.
This was a 60th Birthday celebration for Anne.
Henry taught the basics of stone carving.
Below: working on shells, carving an archway, and bees.
The day finished with home-made chocolate cake and bubbles!
Below: A variety of work created on a Saturday class by a group of friends and their daughters.
Southern Stone has a new stock of Serpentine and stone carving kits which can be found on their website.
We’ve got a selection of their tools and rifflers in the studio available for purchase. We’re expecting some starter kits to be delivered in the next week or so. Email Henry and Tam for info on availability and price.
19th September 2024
As a family-owned stone carving studio, we’ve had the unique privilege of leaving lasting marks on nearby landscapes and communities. Our latest commission—carving the "breadstone" for the parish churchyard in Great Wishford—has been a particularly special journey. Read More
7th August 2024
August is here, so our classes are on a summer break; that doesn't mean life is slowing down though! Our have-a-go sessions will be available on a first come, first, serve basis at the Chalke Valley Village Fete on August… Read More
5th July 2024
Since our last newsletter we've visited another local family-run business, Musgrove Willows who create beautiful and environmentally friendly coffins, baskets, and fences. They've been honing their craft for four generations; thank you Ellen for showing us around. The full post of our… Read MoreTo receive information about our stone carving courses please fill in your email address to subscribe to our mailing list.
