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Shuswap School of Carving 2016 – Wrap-up

Michael binkley sculptor in stone teaching stone carving at shuswap school of carving and arts sorrento bc canada

I lead another stone carving workshop at the Shuswap School of Carving and Arts in Sorrento, BC last week. The Shuswap Carvers Society runs the School, each year held at the Sorrento Centre on beautiful Shuswap Lake.

I had nine participants this year – six were with me my first time at the School in 2013 and three new people. All have had some experience carving wood, but have expressed a desire to try  the medium of stone. The School is five days and most of the other classes offered are to do with wood carving where each participant usually carves the same thing as the instructor. My class is different, as I encourage creativity and artistry and so each of my students carves a different sculpture.

This year was a little more challenging, as I balanced carvers with more experience and those who were new to stone. I like to start my “newbies” with limestone and I introduced Italian Carrara marble for the others. Some decided to bring their own stone to work with and one person brought a chunk of laminated birch!

The week began with cool, wet weather but the sun came out mid-week and held until the last few hours of Friday afternoon. My class is held outdoors, due to the noise and dust, so the weather is a factor in our enjoyment.

Everyone seemed to have a good time and enjoyed creating their projects. No one finished their sculpture project, but four came close! Bruce carved a pair of leaping orcas from Indiana limestone. Shirley carved a pink dolphin from pink alabaster. Diane carved a gargoyle from Indiana limestone. Gail roughed out a rearing stallion in Carrara marble. Les worked up a pair of soaring birds in Carrara marble. Gert carved a great horned owl and baby from pyrophylite. Doug carved a female bust from Quatsino marble. Irene carved her first Carrara marble polar bear and Bog carved a female torso in birch.

I was impressed with each person’s abilities, tenacity and eagerness to get extremely dirty! The next School with be in the fall of 2018.