Summer 2025
July 21-26

Learn the process of making your own sculptural wooden stool in this six-day design/build course. Ultimately the simple canvas of the stool shape is a great introductory project to learn carving and design techniques. Led by Peter through a series of prompts and parameters on design, you will then learn how to use power carving tools and hand carving tools to materialize those interesting shapes and surface textures out of wood. The stool legs will be joined with threaded wood rods for easy disassembly. Come have fun with us carving and shaping wood and see what you can do with it!

Class Description

In this six-day course, you will create a functioning sculptural stool of your own design. Led by Peter through a design process that will include sketching and planning, you will assemble and carve a unique functional piece of furniture reflective of your own creative perspective. The stool legs will be joined with threaded wood rods for easy disassembly. Peter will give individual advice and assistance throughout all the stages of your project. 

You will learn how to build up structure with brick and stack lamination, how to use wood thread joints, how to use power tools and hand tools to carve and shape wood, and how to apply your personal creativity to your stool.

Peter will demonstrate simple joineries, such as wood thread, and glue-up techniques. He will also cover the safe use of power tools and hand tools like angle grinders, rasps, spokeshaves, and carving gouges. You will also learn unusual and unique glue-up techniques to build-up random pieces of wood using tools other than clamps.

Tools:

Required:

• Dust mask

• Hearing protection

• Safety glasses

Recommended:

• Personal Rasp 

• Personal File 

• Personal working gloves 

• Angle grinder 

• Die grinder 

• Carving gouges (#7 & #8 are most useful)

Prerequisites

Open to all. If you are interested in learning how to do active power carving and wood carving and shaping, if you want to learn how to create large volumetric shapes out of wood, and are not afraid to get covered in sawdust, this is the class for you.

Class Information and Registration

Class runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday 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.

Class size: 10
Cost: $1,130
Materials Charge: $100