Students will learn the ancient art of hand-carving symbols and words into stone. This Berkshire Botanical Garden all-day workshop on Thursday, August 15 will provide hands-on experience in the fine craft of stone carving with an emphasis on creating a decorative surface. Watch a stone-carving demonstration, discuss various tools and stone surfaces and then work on a small carving project. Bring a simple decorative element then carve it into slate using a mallet and chisel to create a lasting and permanent work for your garden. This project can be completed during a single session although you may wish to purchase the carving tools for working on a more complex project to finish at home.
Karin Sprague is a stone carver specializing in hand-carved letters and symbols in slate. She and her small team of artists create testaments of life’s fleeting nature with stone. In business for over a decade, Sprague uses mallet, chisel and slate to artfully carve one-of-a-kind gravestones, memorials, sculptures and standing stones. One of the few hand-lettering carvers in the world, Sprague actively mentors apprentices and teaches slate-lettering carving classes. Check www.karinsprague.com.
Tools and materials included. Bring a bagged lunch, safety goggles and dress for working in the open air.BBG member price $174, nonmembers $185. Register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org, or call 413-298-3926.
