Woodworking

Come build a Paraguayan harp. This harp is characterized by a large soundbox with a rounded base, very light weight, closely-spaced light tension strings (usually nylon), a relatively flat harmonic curve, and with the strings running up through the center of the neck, which are tuned with gear-style tuners (like a guitar). Almost all harps of this style are played with the fingernails, in very rhythmically intricate music. This is the national instrument of Paraguay, and is commonly found throughout South America, Central America and in parts of Mexico. Students will be using tools from the past and today, to fashion an instrument that will last a lifetime. After this class you may even want to learn to play your beautiful new harp!

Dates/Times

• Saturday, August 9, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, August 10, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Larry Benjamin

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

Material Fee: $350.00 Included in fee shown

Location: 1476 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex, located on Rt. 9 in the Log Jam Outlets immediately behind the Log Jam Restaurant

Learn how to make your very own personal hiking stick. Begin by selecting the perfect stick collected by the instructor. Then you will learn how to shave and carve your hiking stick. Once you are happy with your creation, the sticks will be completed by drilling a hole in them and adding a lanyard. Once finished, put your stick to good use on the trail running right by our school!

Dates/Times

• Sunday, August 17, 2025 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Instructor: Don Polunci

Member Tuition: $65.00
Non-Member Tuition: $80.00

Material Fee: $5.00 Included in fee shown

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

Learn how to make your very own personal hiking stick. Begin by selecting the perfect stick collected by the instructor. Then you will learn how to shave and carve your hiking stick. Once you are happy with your creation, the sticks will be completed by drilling a hole in them and adding a lanyard. Once finished, put your stick to good use on the trail running right by our school!

Dates/Times

• Sunday, June 29, 2025 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Instructor: Don Polunci

Member Tuition: $65.00
Non-Member Tuition: $80.00

Material Fee: $5.00 Included in fee shown

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

You don't have to be an artist to create wood burned art. This introduction to wood burning, also known as pyrography, will teach you how to create your own unique artwork. We will cover all the basics: safety, burners, tips, transferring images, wood species, adding color and protective finishes. Resources will also be shared for continued learning after class completion. In class, students will try out various tips to see what each is capable of. Students will then have the opportunity to work on up to three projects of nature or Adirondack inspired images.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, June 7, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Lorraine Mara

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

Material Fee: $12.00 Included in fee shown

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

You don't have to be an artist to create wood burned art. This introduction to wood burning, also known as pyrography, will teach you how to create your own unique artwork. We will cover all the basics: safety, burners, tips, transferring images, wood species, adding color and protective finishes. Resources will also be shared for continued learning after class completion. In class, students will try out various tips to see what each is capable of. Students will then have the opportunity to work on up to three projects of nature or Adirondack inspired images.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, March 15, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Lorraine Mara

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

Material Fee: $12.00 Included in fee shown

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

You don't have to be an artist to create wood burned art. This introduction to wood burning, also known as pyrography, will teach you how to create your own unique artwork. We will cover all the basics: safety, burners, tips, transferring images, wood species, adding color and protective finishes. Resources will also be shared for continued learning after class completion. In class, students will try out various tips to see what each is capable of. Students will then have the opportunity to work on up to three projects of nature or Adirondack inspired images.

Dates/Times

• Friday, November 7, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Lorraine Mara

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

Material Fee: $12.00 Included in fee shown

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

Students will build a keepsake box using a walnut frame and specimen wood, creating a gorgeous and distinctive piece great for gifting. Woodworking techniques such as cutting, sanding, and creating finger joints will be covered.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, August 2, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, August 3, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Larry Benjamin

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

Material Fee: $60.00 Included in fee shown

Location: 1476 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex, located on Rt. 9 in the Log Jam Outlets immediately behind the Log Jam Restaurant

In this advanced class, experienced students will have the opportunity to work on Large Shaker Oval Boxes. Construction steps and hardware application will be demonstrated, and all participants will put their hands-to-work on their own projects. Students will become familiar with construction techniques as they complete their projects. These projects have a firm place in Shaker history as they were a very popular offering to "The World's People" by Shaker craftsmen. With Shaker inspired elegance these are sure to become instant heirlooms!

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, April 23, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Thursday, April 24, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Eric Pintar

Member Tuition: $225.00
Non-Member Tuition: $275.00

Material Fee: $60.00 Included in fee shown

Location: 1476 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex, located on Rt. 9 in the Log Jam Outlets immediately behind the Log Jam Restaurant

In this advanced class, experienced students will have the opportunity to work on Large Shaker Oval Boxes. Construction steps and hardware application will be demonstrated, and all participants will put their hands-to-work on their own projects. Students will become familiar with construction techniques as they complete their projects. These projects have a firm place in Shaker history as they were a very popular offering to "The World's People" by Shaker craftsmen. With Shaker inspired elegance these are sure to become instant heirlooms!

Dates/Times

• Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Thursday, October 23, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Eric Pintar

Member Tuition: $225.00
Non-Member Tuition: $275.00

Material Fee: $60.00 Included in fee shown

Location: 1476 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex, located on Rt. 9 in the Log Jam Outlets immediately behind the Log Jam Restaurant

In 1903, the first Adirondack chair was built in the town of Westport, N.Y. and has since taken the world by storm. Its contoured seat and back, along with its wide arms make it the perfect chair for lounging in after a hard day's work. You will start with surfaced pine, cut the pieces, shape them on a router table, sand them and then assemble your own Adirondack chair.

Dates/Times

• Saturday, April 12, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, April 13, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: John Cerveny

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

Material Fee: $140.00 Included in fee shown

Location: 1476 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex, located on Rt. 9 in the Log Jam Outlets immediately behind the Log Jam Restaurant

Special Notes: No prior woodworking experience is necessary, but be prepared to use power tools.

Over 100 years ago, the famous Sagamore Hotel was built as an exclusive resort on Lake George in the Adirondacks. Its luxurious and spacious accommodations attracted the millionaires of the day, and the hotel continues to bring people from around the world to its spectacular spot on the lake. Come create a bit of history as you build a Sagamore chair using patterns struck from one of the original chairs; all the forms and patterns necessary are provided. Learn how to steam bend local Adirondack Red Oak into the graceful forms of this one-of-a-kind chair that is both beautiful and comfortable. Working with a variety of hand tools, you will bend and fasten the slats, laminate frame elements, join everything together and sand, finish and complete a beautiful chair ready for a prominent spot in your camp or home. Some prior woodworking experience is helpful, but beginners are welcome too.

Dates/Times

• Friday, April 4, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Saturday, April 5, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Sunday, April 6, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Monday, April 7, 2025 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Instructor: Larry Benjamin

Member Tuition: $520.00
Non-Member Tuition: $590.00

Material Fee: $500.00 Included in fee shown

Location: 1476 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex, located on Rt. 9 in the Log Jam Outlets immediately behind the Log Jam Restaurant