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Our woodturning workshops are limited to just 6 turners...learn the basics, or practice a new technique. If you don't see what you're looking for, please contact us at the link above with your "wish list" for wood classes. Customized instruction and personal attention make for an enjoyable creative experience for any level of skill!

In Session and Upcoming Schedule at a Glance

Feb 4-5 Sat/Sun 10a-5p Bowlturning 102 Jim Degen

Feb 11-12 Sat/Sun 10a-5p Masters Series: 10 Essential Cuts Keith Tompkins

Feb 18 Sat 12-4p Sampler Workshop: Turning Weed Pot Vessels Buster Shaw

Feb 25 Sat 10a-5p Turning Tableware: Goblets Jim Degen

Feb 26 Sun 10a-5p Turning Tableware: Salad Servers Jim Degen

Mar 4 Sun 10a-5p Masters Series: End Grain Hollowing Keith Tompkins

Mar 11 Sun 10a-5p Turning a Lidded Box Joe Larese

Mar 17-18 Sat/Sun 10a-5p Intro to the Lathe Buster Shaw

Mar 24-25 Sat/Sun 10a-5p Masters Series: Candlesticks + Other Projects Robert Rosand

Mar 31-Apr 1 Sat/Sun 10a-5p From Tree to Table Jim Degen

Apr 10-11+17-18Tues/Wed 10a-3p Bowlturning 101 Jim Degen

Apr 12-May 24 Thurs 6-9p Sampler class: Jewelry in Silver, Glass + Wood

Corey Anderson, Rachel Morris + Suzanne Pisano

Apr 15 Sun 10a-5p Mastering the Skew Chisel Joe Larese

Apr 21 Sat 12-4p Sampler Workshop: Pens on the Lathe Buster Shaw

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SAMPLER WORKSHOP: Turning Weed Pot Vessels

Tuition $80.00 SOLD OUT!
Contact us to place your name on the wait list, or to help you choose another class.

Beginner, Experienced Beginner
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Buster Shaw

WT0412 Feb 18, 2012, (12pm -4pm) Saturday afternoon (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

Turners call the small flower vases made on the lathe "weed pots." Starting with this small project is perfect for students looking to try woodturning for the first time or for beginners to add this project to their developing repertoire. This short 4-hour workshop will introduce you to Brookfield Craft Center’s state-of-the-art wood turning studio, and teach you all the basic techniques of turning by creating your own small vases in a supportive studio environment. A studio/materials fee of $15 is due at time of registration. Students under age 16, please call for details.

Brookfield Craft Center's Sampler Workshops are designed with the beginner in mind. These short, low-cost workshops eliminate the intimidation of trying a new art medium and using a new studio. You might just find your new artistic calling, but you will never know unless you give it a try.

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Networking and Presentation Tips for Artists

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Networking and Presentation Tips for Artists

Tuition $35.00

REGISTRATION CLOSED

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Camilla Cook

SM0212 Feb 18, 2012 (12pm - 2pm) Sat afternoon (River Room, Mill Building)

Artist consultant and independent curator, Camilla Cook, will speak about basic marketing materials and techniques for visual artists. She will explain how to write a successful Bio, Artist Statement & Resume and explain why each is important. She will also identify various opportunities to increase your exposure including: tips on networking, building a mailing list, unlocking the Internet's potential, and applying for exhibitions, grants and residencies. After the talk, the floor will be open for specific questions and discussion topics.

Turning Tableware: Goblets

Tuition $120.00

Experienced Beginner, Advanced Beginner
Prerequisite: Bowlturning 101, Intro to the Lathe, Beginning Bowl Turning or other lathe experience
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Jim Degen

WT0512 Feb 25, 2012 (10am - 5pm) Saturday (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

This one-day project-based workshop introduces students with some previous basic turning experience the specific skills needed to make stemmed wooden wine or water goblets. Topics covered while turning goblets from start to finish include wood selection, mounting on the lathe, design considerations, shaping and hollowing techniques, sanding and final finishing. A studio/materials fee of $20 is due at time of registration. Students under age 16, please call for details.

Turning Tableware: Salad Servers

Tuition $120.00

Experienced Beginner, Advanced Beginner
Prerequisite: Bowl Turning 101, Intro to the Lathe, Beginning Bowl Turning or other lathe experience
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Jim Degen

WT0612 Feb 26, 2012 (10am - 5pm) Sunday (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

The Turning Tableware series continues with this one-day workshop in which students will craft a two-piece salad server set of their own design from select hardwood. All aspects from design to final finishing will be covered. Students in this workshop should have some previous turning experience (Bowl Turning 101, Intro to the Lathe, Beginning Bowl Turning, or equivalent). A studio/materials fee of $20 is due at time of registration. Students under age 16, please call for details.

Writing an Artist Statement

Tuition $90.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Camilla Cook

SM0312 Mar 3, 2012 (12pm - 4pm) Sat afternoon (River Room, Mill Building)

What is an Artist Statement and why is it necessary? Stumped and overwhelmed by the task of putting your visual process into words? Join artist consultant and independent curator, Camilla Cook, as she demystifies the process in a nurturing environment. You will develop your ideas through a brainstorming session and series of guided steps. Using the notes of one volunteer as an example, the group will go through a complete editing process together. Then Camilla will spend one-on-one time helping individuals craft their own unique versions. Bring a journal/notebook and a pen/pencil. Also bring rough notes about your artwork and/or past Artist Statement versions (or attempts), if you have them.

End Grain Hollowing

Tuition $120.00

Experienced Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Keith Tompkins

WT1112 Mar 4, 2012 (10am - 5pm) Sunday (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

In this one-day workshop, students will expand their horizons by overcoming their fear of end-grain hollowing, learning several hollowing techniques. They will discover end-grain hollowing is a fast, fun, and efficient way to produce lathe-turned projects. The class will cover hollowing with a spindle gouge, with a hook-tool, and carbide-insert tools. Students can expect to produce two or three finished pieces during the class. A studio/materials fee of $20 is due at time of registration.

Turning a Lidded Box

Tuition $120.00

Advanced Beginner
Prerequisite: Basic spindle turning skills are required
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Joe Larese

WT1212 Mar 11, 2012 (10am-5pm) Sun (Turning Studio, Mill Building)

This is a one-day workshop concentrating on learning the techniques used to create beautiful lidded boxes. Various ways to hollow end grain will be taught; from the easiest using drill bits, to the more efficient means of using gouges, ring tools, and shop made hollowing tools. Learn foolproof methods for: sizing an inset lid, fitting suction fit lids, and creating fine detail on lid interiors. Advanced tool techniques and good design will be stressed. Students will complete one lidded box. Prior experience in spindle turning is required. A studio/materials fee of $15 is due at time of registration.

Writing on the Wall: Social Media for Artists

Writing on the Wall: Social Media for Artists

Tuition $35.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Heather Lawless

SM0412 Mar 17, 2012 (12pm - 2pm) Sat afternoon (River Room, Mill Building)

The principles of networking haven't changed in decades, but the social scene is all new. Whether you are apprehensive, dragging your feet, or ready to embrace social networking online, this seminar will introduce you to the world of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more. Learn all the tips and tricks of how to gain a following, expand your art's audience and get your name out into the world without having to shamelessly self-promote. Social networking is about building a community of like-minded people and sharing ideas, but it is also a science. Are you aware that there is a right and a wrong time of day to announce your upcoming exhibit? Did you know that you can tweet like you're out on the town while you're really fast asleep? Are you wondering what the heck a tweet is? Learn the nuances of privacy settings, the dirt on posting copyrighted original artwork, and the outright importance of social networking in the business of art.

Introduction to the Lathe

Tuition $240.00

Beginner, Experienced Beginner
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Buster Shaw

WT1612 Mar 17-18, 2012, (10am - 5pm) Saturday/Sunday (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

Join us for a 2-day introductory workshop in the art of woodturning. You’ll discover the joy of turning a block of wood into a wooden bowl…and that’s just the beginning. This class will provide you with a solid understanding of the fundamentals of woodturning in a fun, open and sharing atmosphere. Whether you’re a rank beginner or need to improve your current skills, you will benefit from the many techniques and tricks revealed in this hands-on woodturning workshop with Buster Shaw, one of the Craft Center’s most popular instructors. Expect to realize the many possibilities of turning, as you’re guided through proper tool selection, sharpening, and safety techniques. The sky is the limit as we pay homage to the trees, combining technique with imagination, to create wondrous works of wooden art. A studio/materials fee of $25 is due at time of registration.

Candlesticks + Other Projects

Tuition $240.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Robert Rosand

WT0712 Mar 24-25, 2012 (10am - 5pm) Sat/Sun (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

BCC welcomes master woodturner Robert Rosand to the turning studio. Save the date for this weekend workshop. More details to come.

From Tree to Table

Tuition $240.00

Beginner, Experienced Beginner, Advanced Beginner
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Jim Degen

WT0812 Mar 31 - Apr 1, 2012 (10am - 5pm) Sat/Sun (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

If a tree falls in the woods, a woodturning is sure to hear it! This course teaches students how to make a bowl straight from the trunk of a tree. Slowly drying turning wood can take months to accomplish, but this course whisks students through the time-intensive process with pre-prepared wood. Jim will demonstrate using a chain saw to split logs from fallen trees. Students will then use a band saw to rough out the shape, and lathes to turn the wood, ending with a beautifully finished bowl. Safety, and tool selection and use will be covered as well as basic design. Students can expect to rough-turn wet wood, learn how to slowly dry the roughed bowls, and then finish a bowl that has been pre-dried. A studio/materials fee of $25 is due at time of registration.

Photographing Your Work

Tuition $110.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Joe Larese

SP0112 Apr 1, 2012 (10am-5pm) Sun (River Room, Mill Building)

Do photos never do your art justice? Present your work in the best light by learning simple digital photography tips with this one-day workshop. Professional photographer and fine craftsman, Joe Larese, is here to help non-professionals take clear, well lit photographs of your handwork. The course will introduce students to tabletop studio photography, which will allow you to photograph your work for documentation and marketing purposes. Demonstrations will include professional lighting techniques with inexpensive store-bought fluorescent lamps and reflecting materials, making a photo studio framework for supporting backgrounds and lights, and understanding digital camera settings. Students should bring one of your pieces to be photographed during hands-on exercises, your digital camera (if you own one), a tripod (if you own one) and your camera’s manual.

Bowl Turning 101

Tuition $320.00

Beginner, Experienced Beginner
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Jim Degen

WT1412 Apr 10-11 + Apr 17-18, 2012 (10am - 3pm) 2 Tues + 2 Wed (Turning Studio, Railroad Building)

This is a beginning level class for students with little or no previous turning experience. All aspects of beginning turning will be covered: lathe safety, wood preparation, tool selection and use, basic design, sanding and finishing. Students can expect to complete two bowls during the class. A materials fee of $30 is due at time of registration.

Mastering the Skew Chisel

Tuition $120.00

Experienced Beginner, Advanced Beginner
Prerequisite: Basic spindle turning skills are required
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Joe Larese

WT1312 Apr 15, 2012 (10am-5pm) Sun (Turning Studio, Mill Building)

The skew chisel can be a mystifying turning tool, so Joe Larese joins BCC again for a one-day workshop designed to develop confidence using the skew chisel for spindle turning. Starting with a peeling cut, then a long point down “V” cut, each exercise builds on the previous cut. Illustrated handouts will detail each of the exercises and will include tips on skew selection, tool geometry, presentation and sharpening. Following a logical progression, more advanced skills will be demonstrated including planing, shearing, parting and even cove cutting with a variety of different skews. Participants will make a grooved kitchen mallet with the skills they learn. A studio/materials fee of $15 is due at time of registration.

SAMPLER WORKSHOP: Wood Pens from the Lathe

Tuition $80.00

Beginner, Experienced Beginner
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Buster Shaw

WT0912 April 21, 2012 12-4pm) Saturday afternoon (Turning Studio)

Pen turning is an enjoyable way to get started using a lathe. This short 4-hour workshop will introduce you to Brookfield Craft Center’s state-of-the-art wood turning studio, and teach you all the basic techniques in creating your own Slim Line Pen. You will leave with a unique writing instrument that you created yourself. The instructor will show how to align the grain, square the ends, turn the wood, apply a finish and assemble the parts. A studio/materials fee of $15 is due at time of registration. Students under age 16, please call for details.

Brookfield Craft Center's Sampler Workshops are designed with the beginner in mind. These short, low-cost workshops eliminate the intimidation of trying a new art medium and using a new studio. You might just find your new artistic calling, but you will never know unless you give it a try.