Fall 2024
November 18-22

Bending wood is a poetic approach to woodworking. To instructor Yuri Kobayashi, it is much like a child playing in a sandbox. In this five-day course, experiment with the art and science of steam-bending wood to stimulate your creativity and demystify this fascinating process. This course is mainly experimental and involves group cooperation and shared problem-solving, the excitement of discovery, and success with your classmates. Participants will dive into interacting with materials on the first day.

In this five-day course, we’ll get inspired by one of the intriguing properties of wood: the flexibility achieved by applying moisture, heat, or both, to form new shapes. We will experiment directly with the material to stimulate creativity and prompt ideas. 

Using reed, or small-dimensioned wood, we will explore means to bend, twist, weave, as well as introduce students to mold and jig making. Playing with the techniques, we will achieve unique, organic lines and forms; the possibilities are infinite. The result/project may be a vase, a tray, a basket, a lampshade, a component of furniture, or an absolute sculpture. The primary goal of this workshop is to free your creative expression. The key to success is how you dance with the material!

Class Information and Registration

Class runs 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday in Building 304 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 class is full.

Class size: 12
Cost: $895
Materials Charge: $75