Find inspiration and learn new techniques for power carving wood with our special guest, Kristin LeVier! Kristin is a nationally recognized wood sculptor, craft educator, and friend of the Studio. She will be in town for just one week as part of the annual woodturning symposium held in Saratoga. We are thrilled she is able to spend some time with us too!

Micromotor power carvers are small, next-generation carving machines with rotating burrs that enable carvers to transform the surface and shape of wood. They’re also incredibly fun to use.

In this interactive deep dive, Kristin will share live carving demonstrations, and each student will have an opportunity to try their hand at using a micromotor power carver.

Drawing on her 20 years of experience, Krisin will cover safety, micromotor units (available brands, prices, how to use), carving burrs, wood choices and how to immobilize your workpiece. We’ll look at the three major types of power carving (texture, relief and sculpture) and Kristin will demonstrate the three techniques and discuss burr choices suited to each. We’ll learn two painting techniques that help carved textured surfaces pop and look at a visual feast of images of successful power carved art!

This session is suitable for students of all skill levels – no prior woodworking experience is necessary–but fine motor dexterity is required.

When: Thursday, March 27

6:00 – 9:00 pm

Where: Main Street Studio

786 Charlton Road, Charlton NY

Cost: $60.00 non-members, $54 members (use your discount code at checkout)

Note, this is an adult level class, but young adults with a serious interest are also welcome (ages 14 and up)

What you'll need:

• Clothes and shoes that are OK to get messy/sawdusty
• Eye protection - regular glasses are fine, or the studio will provide safety glasses
• Hearing Protection. Bring your own or foam ear plugs can be provided by the studio
• Dust Mask
  • Bring your own, or the studio can provide a high-quality N-95 face mask with metal strip for fitting to your nose
  • or if you are serious about getting into this: obtain a half-face respirator. e.g. 3M 7500 series half facepiece dust and sanding respirator with 2071 particulate filters. Cost is about $30 and these are easy to find in hardware stores or online.

About Kristin LeVier

Artist Kristin LeVier is a former molecular biologist who creates work at the intersection of art, nature and science to remind us of our connection to the breathtaking spectacle of the natural world. Her organic carved and bent wood sculpture embodies an ethereal sense of motion. She spoke about her work in a TEDx talk on The Art of Science and in a PBS short feature. Her award-winning work has been exhibited widely and featured in books and magazines including American Craft and American Woodturner. She teaches craft and design at symposia and at craft schools including Arrowmont, Anderson Ranch, Peters Valley and the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship and speaks about the intersection of art and science at universities and programs for STEM students. Her studio is nestled among stunning rolling hills in Moscow, Idaho. You can see her work at www.kristinlevier.com and follow her on Instagram @kristinlevierartist