Spring 2025
June 16-20

In this five-day class, master woodturner Matt Monaco will guide you in learning to develop and implement the skills necessary to execute and create a variety of traditionally turned classic vessels. You will learn to design several vessels in a series, gain a strong sense of cutting execution with the body's natural finesse, and build an understanding of the specific tools and methods of creating the tool grinds and shapes necessary to be successful at the lathe. This class will be appropriate for multiple skill levels. For beginners, you will build foundational knowledge and practice, and for more advanced students, we will take your turning skills to the next level and reinforce good habits at the lathe.

In this five-day turning workshop, students will learn:

• Effective cutting techniques based on principles of grain orientation and fine tool control

• Designing and executing in a series

• Developing your eye for fine form, line, and curve in relation to the tactility and feel of an object

• Developing body finesse and control to achieve fine detail and clean cut with the full range of turning tools

• Confidence and skill in sharpening and shaping tools, as well as basic modifications for better surface results

• Understanding wood selection   

• Creating a fine finish on a turned object

• Making sense of the difference between utilitarian & functional art, and fine craft.

You will complete a series of vessels or bowls of your own design in this course.

Tools

PTSW will provide all the required turning tools. However, if you want to bring along your own turning tools and work with them, we encourage you to do so.

Required: 

• High collar shirt or turning smock

• Hair tie for long hair

• Pencils

• Paper/sketchbook

Recommended:

Personal protective equipment (face shield, mask, and safety glasses) that is comfortable
Turning tools if you have them; roughing gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool, bowl gouge, bedan tool, and skew.

Prerequisites

Open to all.

Class Information and Registration

Class runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday in Building 315 at Fort Worden. Map
Please read our What to Expect page for general information about the school.
Please also read our Registration Policy.
Please sign up for the waitlist if the course is full.

Class size: 12
Cost: $940
Materials Charge: $75