2024 Classes
Please Note that the 2024 dates are July 8-12 in Ellensburg, WA
Registration is now open below info is being updated
Cost of each class can be found on the registration form. The instructor may have a material cost shown in class description, if you do not see one feel free to ask.
Anita Wells-Nantucket- Baskets
The Nantucket Baskets class will be instructed by Anita Wells.
An American Folk Art and Craft the Nantucket Lightship Basket class is unique for the Academy as it can be taken as a single day class or up to five days.
Choice from over 25 different baskets of various sizes and shapes. It will be a very casual class allowing students to come when they can. All the baskets are easy to make, some taking more time than others. The finished product will bring every weaver a feeling of pride.
Cost of material varies on which basket you make.
the class will be limited to twelve students
Tom Henschied -
Spoon carving and spoon carving knife class. In this class we will learn the skills used to create spoons. Both standard eating and cooking spoons as well as artistic interpretations using creative shapes and textures. As we are carving we will learn the different types of cutting tools that make our work easier. Bent knives used to create the bowl of the spoon have many shapes and forms. Every carver develops their own style and preference for tools. Knowing how to make your own blades will enhance your carving experience. Starting on the second day we will learn to create the blades that suit or carving style. We will create the edge geometry, bend the blades, harden, temper and sharpen these knives. For the balance of the week students can alternate between carving more spoons and making more knives. Each day I will do a couple short demos on topics such as making the Ammo Can forge we use in the class, coloring using milk paints, creating special textures etc. I supply all the tools and equipment needed for the class, but if you have tools bring them too. Knife blanks and spoon blanks will be available for sale payable to the instructor. Expect to spend in the range of 75$ for your materials.
Izo Becic - Architectural Student's Choice
Architectural Carving Izo is an Award winning European trained Master Carver. His carving speciality is the restoration and duplication of alters, statues, antique furniture and architectural detail. Designs will be set up in the blank by Izo. Tools required are: gouges, mallet and at least two or four clamps for holding the blank. Izo will have some tools for loan and to sell. You will be proud of your carving and walk away with knowledge from the Master. Izo will call each student to verify project blank choice. Blanks could be in butternut, basswood or black walnut. Blanks range in price from $60-$350.
Pat Moore-Carve and Paint a Santa
Pat Moore will teach carving and painting Woodland Santa. Pat will help students carve and paint a Unique Santa from a roughout. The first 3 days will be devoted to carving the Santa. Thursday final preparation for sealing your carving and prep for painting finishing on Friday. Bring your favorite Hand tools ('No Power" & No Sandpaper"). Sharp tools. A carving Safety Glove and Light if wanted Pat will supply Paints & Brushes for Students to use. (You may bring your own favorite paint brushes if desired). Roughout & materials cost TBD If you have any questions you can contact her at (800-825-2657) or email her info@roughouts.com
Ryan Olsen - Roughouts Selection
Ryan Olsen has taught Caricature all over the country. His own style of expressive and clean-cut caricature has become a favorite of students and collectors. You will be carving a choice of Ryan's roughouts. Project roughouts costs TBD Minimum 7 students Maximum 12 Students
Rohn Collins - Realistic Tiger Bust
The class project will be a realistic tiger bust. The class will cover carving, texturing, woodburning and painting using a roughout. You will need carving tools, carving glove, woodburner, burner tips and brushes. The instructor will provide the paints. The tools used by the instructor are a knife, #3 gouge, 1/2' U-gouge, 1/4" U gouge, 3/16" veiner, 1/8" veiner.
Jerry Simchuk- creation of realistic bird habitat
Jerry Simchuk, a renowned master bird and fish carver, is offering an open format habitat class. What is open format you may ask? You choose the habitat you wish to learn and create. Do you have a bird, fish, or mammal that needs to be placed on some habitat? That can be your project for this class. Each person in class will learn how to create their own habitat along with learning from the other student’s habitat choices.
Jerry will kick start this class by creating habitat for a Western Bluebird. You will learn how to handle habitat that will be placed on a pedestal as well as non-pedestal forms of habitat. This class will go over handling leaves, branches and much more. There will be techniques and methods to create a wide range of habitat, even handling silver soldering which can be applied to attaching legs/feet to your habitat.
For those signed up please contact Jerry well ahead of class for any assistance in selecting your habitat. A special list of supplies and materials will be provided to each individual depending on the habitat selection so early interaction with Jerry is required to be ready for class.
Bob Travis - Thinking Inside the Roughout
This class will be based on the Caricature Carvers of America book, Thinking Inside the Roughout. Students will be encouraged to use the book for ideas and the carve the universal blank to develop your own design. Alternatively, one may choose to carve one of the figures in the book. I will help each student get started, and will assist the questions as the carving progresses. At an appropriate time we will break for a demonstration on eye carving and an opportunity for the students to practice carving eyes. I will also discuss and demonstrate carving of hands, feet, ears and other subject that may arise. A carving of this type can be quite time consuming; however, for those who finish by Thursday we will paint on Friday.
Items needed: Hand tools only, no power. Larger hand tools (1/2" tp 5/8' V gouge, 3/4' #9 or #11 U gouge, 3/4' #3 gouge) will be helpful for roughing out the carving. Notebook, carving glove, and brushes for painting. I will have some brushes to share but if everyone uses mine it will slow the process. I will provide paint.
Roughouts are expect to be priced at $20 (assuming my cost doesn't increase). I will have books available for $20. there will also be one book available for students to share if you do not wish to purchase your own copy.
I am looking forward to seeing the Old Timers again. For the newcomers, a word of advice...don't be intimidated, you can do this. For all of you, feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Check out the CCA website to see the roughout and the book cover. www.cca-carvers.org
Class:8-12 carvers
Rich Wetherbee - Bust of a Sea Captain or Pirate
For this year's Students will have their choice of a Sea Captain bust or a Pirate. Bring sharp palm tools, note taking materials and imagination required.
Tools needed:
Kevlar safety glove
A sharp rough out and detail knives
Palm gouges that range in sizes from small (2mm - 5mm), medium (8mm to 12mm), and large (16mm to 25mm), in sweeps of 3 (shallow), 5, 7, 9, and 11 (No mallet tools!)
Flexcut soft V, pair of dividers, note taking materials
Instructor will supply hand-out training aids, angle guides, carving boards and stropping station, as well as sealer, varnish and antiquing supplies and brushes.
Cost of Wood to be determined.
Dick Wilk - Native American design
Students will carve a model Canoe and paddle
I'll supply the wood. As far as tools required goes, the best and quickest experience would be to use traditional tools like adzes and crooked knives with the addition of your favorite chisels and knives. If you don't have an adz and want to buy one I can make one for you. The price will be $135. Contact me at least 6 weeks ahead of the class at Wilkddtravel@comcast.net. The sooner the better. I'll make the adz and ship it to you if there is enough time before the class, so you can get a feel for it. If you've never used an adz I'll teach you in class. Other sources to purchase an adz are: Kestrel tool on Lopez island and North Bay forge. Crooked knives are also available at Kestrel.
Tool Requirements:
*An adz with a fairly straight blade. (A lip adz and gutter adz would also be convenient but are not Necessary). If you aren't planning to use an adz, bring a 1 1/2 to 3 inch chisel with a 3 or 5 sweep and a mallet. A plane, block or otherwise.
*A straight knife blade about 2 to 4 inches long.
*Two or more crooked knives with various curvatures or smaller #5 or #7 sweep chisels
*Any other knives or chisels you think would be useful
* A straight edge (12 inches, I prefer the plastic kind you can see through like from a fabric store), dark pencils (like 6b), dividers, blue masking tape, tracing paper, sketching paper and/or a notebook.
*Sharpening equipment (stones, strops, etc)
* If you have a chopping block, bring it. It'll make adz work much easier.
* I'll supply drawings and a couple of saws. I'll also bring a projector and PC. I have over 6000 digital pictures of NW coast art. It'll give us something to do in the evenings if desired.
Jeff Gibson - Chip Carved Project
