Woodcarving: Spoons and other Treenware with Pete Hobbie

Class Description: In this class we will be covering the making of treenware, which is spoons and other kitchen tools from greenwood (fresh cut wood). We will cover finding suitable types of wood, safe carving techniques, tool sharpening and care, and — most importantly — the art of carving.

Pete Hobbie is a lifelong woodworker and maker of treenware, musical instruments, and custom furniture from Hampshire County, West Virginia. With more than three decades of experience, Pete’s work ranges from traditional hand-carved utensils (treenware) to the hand-built mountain home he and his family live in. Pete builds custom acoustic instruments, specializing in guitars and banjos, as well as free-form, hand-carved custom furniture. All materials are locally sourced, and sustainably harvested or upcycled from previous projects and other sources.

Gourds: Exploring Mixed Media with Susan Nonn

Spend a week exploring a variety of techniques and materials to create functional or whimsical pieces of art. The goal of this workshop is to encourage participants to step out of their comfort zone and experiment with new techniques. To be more productive, students will work on four projects at the same time. The larger gourds will already be cleaned inside and out. Looking at samples the student will cut and finish the insides (paint or decoupage) For the remainder of the week, the focus will be on enhancing the exterior of the gourd, adding rims and embellishments. Participants will explore altering paper, embellishing with “ball chains”, and alcohol inks with vinyl masks. The workshop leader will tailor the program to meet the participants’ needs.

Susan (Suzi) Nonn, artisan and author, loves gourds—their shapes, their mold patterns, even their defects. She has worked with gourds for more than twenty-five years and, through her classes and coaching, encourages others to try gourd crafting. She teaches gourd workshops at gourd festivals across the United States. (To see her current teaching schedule go to www.naturallyyoursgourds.com) Nonn is also the author of Cut-out Gourd Techniques, a book written to help gourd artists to improve their skills with the mini-saw. She also wrote Gourd Lights, How to make 9 Beautiful Lamp and Lantern Projects. When not teaching, she can be found in her studio/garage enhancing gourds.

Block Printing with Woody Woodcock

This class is designed to learn the fundamentals of block printing. Students will complete multiple images. We will start with black and white to learn how to cut the block to create our image that will be inked up with a roller(brayer) and then pressed onto paper to produce a handmade block(relief) print. If time permits we will explore the color reduction method to create a color image from the block. Students should be prepared to use sharp cutting tools, messy water-based inkswhile taking this class. No experience is necessary and more advanced students are encouraged to take this class. We will use golden cut linoleum blocks in this class, and we might try wood if time permits too. There is a materials fee of $50.00 to cover inks, paper and blocks which will be provided by the class. All other materials will be furnished by the instructor to use.

Kevin M. Woodcock was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City. After high school he traveled to West Virginia to visit a friend and was attracted to the mountainous beauty of the state. Kevin moved to Morgantown where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from West Virginia University. He met his wife, Mel, in Elkins through mutual friends. Kevin and Mel moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Printmaking and Painting at Louisiana State University. They moved back to West Virginia in 1989 and currently live in Elkins. Kevin creates his visual artworks at his home studio and at Davis & Elkins College where he is an Assistant Professor of Art and the Chair of the Creative Art Department. Kevin teaches Beginning Painting, 2D Design, Color Theory, Screen Printing, Intro to Printmaking, Senior Seminar, Senior Studio, Advanced Drawing and Advanced Painting. Kevin also is involved with the ArtsBank program where he is a board member.

See More!

Letterpress and Engraving with Jim Horton

Class Description, Letterpress Printing:
Letterpress is a realm of the graphic arts that uses relief printing type and engraved illustration. The roots go back to the fifteenth century, yet has modern applications (such as Hatch Showprint). The class will have students design and print a broadside (posters) using wood and metal type. Wood engraving and lino will also be taught for illustration. Students will print an edition of unique designs for a real or imagined event. All materials will be provided and antique presses poised for printing.

Jim Horton is a printmaker who learned wood engraving and letterpress printing from the last remnants of the commercial trade. He authored the book, Commercial Wood Engraving in the 20th Century (available at Legacy Press). Jim teaches workshops and is active as an artist, in what he claims is a working museum of graphic arts. He has taught classes at Augusta reaching back 25 years. Jim lives in rural Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Quilting Class with Margie Burns and Kathryn Prentice

Class Description: This class will be held at the Elkins Sewing Center, a local institution that has served our sewing community for many decades, and will be taught by two experienced teachers from the ESC staff: Margie Burns and Kathryn Prentice. In this class, students will explore traditional quilting while using modern tools and techniques. Students will create four traditional West Virginia quilt blocks: Country Roads, Turkey Tracks, Mountain Homespun and Woodland Path. They will then learn how to turn those blocks into a finished project (students can choose either a wall hanging, table runner or table topper). No materials fee will be charged at registration. Students may choose whether to purchase their fabric from the Elkins Sewing Center (they can choose and purchase their fabrics on Monday afternoon after check in) or to bring fabric from home. This class will be held at the Elkins Sewing Center, a local institution that has served our sewing community for many decades, and will be taught by two experienced teachers from the ESC staff: Margie Burns and Kathryn Prentice. In this class, students will explore traditional quilting while using modern tools and techniques. Students will create four traditional West Virginia quilt blocks: Country Roads, Turkey Tracks, Mountain Homespun and Woodland Path. They will then learn how to turn those blocks into a finished project (students can choose either a wall hanging, table runner or table topper). No materials fee will be charged at registration. Students may choose whether to purchase their fabric from the Elkins Sewing Center (they can choose and purchase their fabrics on Monday afternoon after check in) or to bring fabric from home.

The Elkins Sewing Center has been providing quilting and sewing enthusiasts in the Elkins, WV, area with a wide variety of premium fabrics, high quality quilting products, and innovative sewing equipment since 1982.

Tapestry Weaving (Your New Favorite Hobby!) with Nevada Tribble

Class Discription: Tapestry Weaving: In this beginner-friendly class, students will learn how to make their own unique tapestries with a frame loom. Students will begin by creating a miniature tapestry project to learn the essentials of weaving, and practice skills like warping, changing colors, hiding ends, and finishing techniques. After that initial project, we will dive in deeper. Students will use larger tabletop frame looms to explore a variety of textural techniques and different stitches, and learn how to design both geometric and organic shapes. Students will be encouraged to explore their own artistic style and learn how to combine techniques, colors, and shapes in a way that supports their creative vision. Over the course of the four day class, students will create at least one miniature tapestry and two larger ones (& more if time allows). Students will leave with the skills to continue weaving at home, and the confidence to create beautiful tapestries with this fun and relaxing creative outlet. (Suitable for brand-new or beginner/intermediate tapestry weavers)

Nevada Tribble is an interdisciplinary fiber artist who finds inspiration by seeking out patterns in nature. Her work is a sensory experience of color and texture, often featuring layered combinations of weaving, sewing, and handmade paper. Nevada is a local Elkins artist, and you can see her work in the Wilt Building, the Tygart Hotel, in art galleries throughout the region, and at craft fairs and festivals throughout the year. Find Nevada’s work online at nevadatribble.com, on instagram @nevada.wv, or on Substack @nevadatribble.

See More!