At the end of each term, the students and I gather around the front bench, for what has become referred to as the life after school talk. We talk about wood and setting up the workshop, their experience at the school and about their hopes. This past week marked what would have been the end of our Spring term, and for the first time in fifteen years, I sat at the front bench, alone. It has been several weeks now that with heavy hearts we closed the school, and said a tearful good-bye to our students.
Distance Learning
Since then, we have researched and setup a learning management system for the school, with the intention of branching out to offer Distance Learning. We have always maintained that there is no substitute to hands on learning, and will continue to offer our Impractical Cabinetmaker Program at the school when it is safe to do so. Until that time, will use the coming months to publish the first of our distance learning programs, Soul of the Plane. Please follow the link above if you would like to receive a email notification for the launch.
IPSFC Alumni Community
Another benefit to having the learning management system in place, is we are now able to offer a community forum for our alumni. Alumni wishing to participate, proceed to the SIGN IN page, and select create a new account (at the bottom of the page).
A few Favorite Planes photography by Bengt Carlen
In an effort to help sustain the school in these challenging times. I have begun making fine wooden hand planes available for sale, through the Commissions page of our website. Upon the completion of my little brown oak cabinet, I will also offer pieces available for purchase. If you are interested in a wooden hand plane, or commissioning a piece please follow the link above.
With the learning management system in place and a couple days a week set aside to filming, making planes, and improvements at the school, Yvonne and I have settled into beautiful routines. I divide my time between the workshop, walking three hours a day and deepening my meditation practice. Yvonne has been giving our home, and gardens so much love, and she has still managed time on her quilt and a return to her yoga practice. She still joins me for one of my three daily walks during which time we have made the transition from planning to just enjoying this beautiful place in which we live, and this gift of time, more precious than ever.
At this time, it is unlikely that we will be able to hold classes at the school this summer. However, we are quite optimistic that we will be able to commence with our fall term. If you have been thinking about taking our program we ask that you to consider joining us in in August for our fall term. As we are often reminded, the school not only exists for you, but because of you. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our wishes of peace, love, health and happiness to all.
With Gratitude,
Robert & Yvonne