Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design Courses
How would you complete the sentence "I've always wanted to learn how to...?" If your answer involves learning a craft such as metal enamelling, rush seating, wood carving or turning, the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design is currently offering courses for you. It's not too late. There's still time in this millennium to follow your dream and learn a craft. The teachers at the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design followed their dreams and have worked, studied and practised for years to develop their skills. These talented artisans are now passing on their craft through courses open to the public.
Shirley Fader is a well known artist who has exhibited internationally. She graduated from and has worked with the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and is well known for her enamel work. Ms. Fader will teach a course for the beginner or advanced student, Introduction to Enamelling. Lead-free enamels will be applied to a copper base using traditional and non-traditional techniques such as: enamel sifting, use of beads and chips, applied oxides with stamping techniques, painting with underglazes, using foils and wires in enamelling. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with small shapes that may be set as jewellery pieces or flat forms to be mounted. This course runs Wednesdays, Oct. 20 to Dec. 22, 7 to 10 p.m. The fee $94.88 with a materials cost of $15.
Chris Ouellette has been a full-time woodworker since 1987. He has been involved in a full spectrum, including house and boat building, wood turning, carving, furniture and cabinet making. He has also done reproduction work for Parks Canada at Citadel Hill. He is a member of the Atlantic Woodworkers' Association and participates in its shows. In his Rush Seating class, students will learn to do rush seating with natural rush (cattails). The course runs Wednesdays, Oct. 27 to Nov. 24, 7 to 10 p.m. The fee is $47.44 with a cost of $100 for materials, which includes a wooden stool that students will complete.
James Brackett is a self-taught carver who has been carving for the past 10 years. He will be teaching a fish-carving workshop that requires no previous carving experience. The course will focus on the details of completing a decorative sculpture of a bass and will include carving and detailing the finished piece. Carvings will be completed using knives, chisels, sandpaper and a dremel tool. This course runs Wednesdays, Oct. 27 to Dec. 15, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The fee is $75.90 with a materials cost of $18.
Larry Graham is a wood turner who has, over the years, perfected the skills required to work in this rewarding and satisfying craft. His humorous and helpful approach makes this workshop pleasant and successful for the students. In his class, Wood Turning - Small Objects, he will discuss the workings of the lathe and lathe tools, as well as their care and sharpening. Wood and wood selection will be covered. Basic cutting techniques will be taught for small bowls or objects with hands-on instruction, but time and resources will not allow a project to be finished. This course runs Tuesdays, Nov. 9 to 23, 7 to 10 p.m. The fee is $51.75 with a materials fee of $5. Mr. Graham will also teach Wooden Spoon Making on Tuesdays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, 7 to 10 p.m. The fee is $18.98 with a materials fee of $2.
Participants must register in advance for all courses by calling 424-4062 or visiting the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design, 1683 Barrington St., Halifax, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration fees may be paid by cheque, credit card or debit card. To find out more about all the craft courses at the Centre call today.