Woodcarving

Acanthus leaves are historically the most important design element. Seen for thousands of years on Corinthian columns, architecture, furniture, books, currency and more. Students will have the opportunity to carve acanthus scrolls and leaves on a plaque. This class is a must for anyone interested in classical design. Students can bring their own carving tools or ask for a list of recommended tools that can be ordered online.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, October 25, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, October 26, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Bob Yorburg

Member Tuition: $220.00
Non-Member Tuition: $270.00

Material Fee: $35.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Keep your kitchen knives nearby with this beautifully carved 13" x 5" knife holder. Students will learn to design, layout and carve their own designs.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, October 11, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, October 12, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Jim Schreiner

Member Tuition: $220.00
Non-Member Tuition: $270.00

Material Fee: $30.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Students will learn the correct way to use tools, set up a shop for the best results, position work and use lighting to their advantage. Basic forms will be explored and a beautiful study board is kept for future reference. A must for anyone interested in learning both the basics and the finer points of carving. Students can bring their own carving tools or buy available tools. Advance notice is required if tools are required. A basic kit will be available or recommended.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, October 4, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, October 5, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Bob Yorburg

Member Tuition: $220.00
Non-Member Tuition: $270.00

Material Fee: $35.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

In this class you will explore the history of carved letters, including raised and incised examples. Design, proper layout, and spacing will be taught. The correct approach to handling carving tools and interesting techniques will be demonstrated. Sharpening and tool maintenance will be shown. Students of all levels will be able to learn how to carve on flat or shaped surfaces. This class is a must for any student of carving.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, September 21, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Bob Yorburg

Member Tuition: $220.00
Non-Member Tuition: $270.00

Material Fee: $25.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

A symbol of the unity of man and nature, the Green Man is the figure of a human face surrounded by leaves and flowers. Students will receive a basswood, live edge plank and several possible green man designs, including one female face, to apply to the plank. The face will then be chip carved into the plank. Students will go home with a rustic, interesting and beautiful piece to hang on the wall.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, November 1, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, November 2, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Dennis Wilson

Member Tuition: $220.00
Non-Member Tuition: $270.00

Material Fee: $30.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

The simple triangular chip can be used to create many interesting, unusual patterns such as this one on an optical illusion plate; creating the illusion of roundness on a flat plane. Each student will receive a 10" plate with the triangular chip pattern already applied. Carving out half of the chips will create the illusion. Once stained or painted, students will have an attractive piece to hang on the wall or display on a table. The plate is sure to surprise and interest all who see it!

Dates/Times

• Saturday, October 4, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, October 5, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Dennis Wilson

Member Tuition: $220.00
Non-Member Tuition: $270.00

Material Fee: $50.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: This is an advanced class. Chip carving experience is required.

Using traditional chip carving with small knives, students will carve attractive, intricate patterns into 4" basswood disks, stars or squares that can be used as either Christmas tree ornaments or coasters. All students will receive and carve a basswood board with practice designs and then use the same designs to carve into the ornaments or coasters. Decorate your own tree or give as a holiday gift! This class is for intermediate or advanced carvers.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, December 6, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, December 7, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Dennis Wilson

Member Tuition: $220.00
Non-Member Tuition: $270.00

Material Fee: $20.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Chip carving experience is required for this class.

It is good to remind ourselves of the importance of PEACE in our lives. In this session, each student will receive two basswood boards, each 4 in. wide, 12 in. long and 3/8 in. thick. One board will have the word PEACE written on it, and a second board will say SHALOM. On each board the word will be bordered by a leaf design. A blank board may be available for students who want to write and carve PEACE in a language of their own choosing.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, November 22, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, November 23, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Dennis Wilson

Member Tuition: $220.00
Non-Member Tuition: $270.00

Material Fee: $25.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

In this class students will design, shape and carve a serving spoon. Skills explored include: making a template and transferring it to a blank, carving and shaping the bowl and back of the spoon, use of hand tools such as gouges, scrapers, coping saws, and spokeshaves, and sanding and finishing techniques. Students will leave class with a beautiful handcrafted hardwood spoon to use in their own kitchens or to give as a gift!

Dates/Times

• Friday, December 12, 2025 – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Instructor: Martin Macica

Member Tuition: $110.00
Non-Member Tuition: $135.00

Material Fee: $20.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

In this class students will design, shape and carve a serving spoon. Skills explored include: making a template and transferring it to a blank, carving and shaping the bowl and back of the spoon, use of hand tools such as gouges, scrapers, coping saws, and spokeshaves, and sanding and finishing techniques. Students will leave class with a beautiful handcrafted hardwood spoon to use in their own kitchens or to give as a gift!

Dates/Times

• Friday, July 11, 2025 – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Instructor: Martin Macica

Member Tuition: $110.00
Non-Member Tuition: $135.00

Material Fee: $20.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

In this class students will design, shape and carve a serving spoon. Skills explored include: making a template and transferring it to a blank, carving and shaping the bowl and back of the spoon, use of hand tools such as gouges, scrapers, coping saws, and spokeshaves, and sanding and finishing techniques. Students will leave class with a beautiful handcrafted hardwood spoon to use in their own kitchens or to give as a gift!

Dates/Times

• Friday, March 21, 2025 – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Instructor: Martin Macica

Member Tuition: $110.00
Non-Member Tuition: $135.00

Material Fee: $20.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

This course will introduce students to the traditional craft of chip carving – a type of woodcarving in which a small knife is used to incise decorative floral and geometric designs into basswood or butternut. The design is created by the removal of small pieces (chips) of the wood. Chip carving is an ancient, traditional craft. Chip carved plates, jewelry and keepsake boxes, trays, breadboards, furniture and other items can make wonderful gifts and also decorate the home with traditional motifs. Some previous carving experience is helpful, but not necessary. Students will learn to carve a variety of practice designs already drawn on a board and may complete a round ornament as well.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, April 5, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, April 6, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Dennis Wilson

Member Tuition: $220.00
Non-Member Tuition: $270.00

Material Fee: $33.00 Included in fee shown

Location: AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY

Special Notes: Chip carving knives will be supplied by the school. Students wishing to purchase a chip carving knife should do so from either mychipcarving.com or chipcarving.com. An Introductory Chip Carving book may be helpful as well.