For the past fifteen years, Yvonne and I have felt so blessed to live and work in such a beautiful and inspiring place. With that said, our current term, will be the last at the school in the heart of Roberts Creek. We will be branching out into distance education while we take the time to set up our new working school. The working model returns to the vision, that Jim and I shared so many years ago, at my bench, working along side a few students.
We have enlisted the services of a Vancouver based production company to assist us in producing two quality online programs. The filming is scheduled to take place in November, and we will be launching our distance learning programs in January.
The new school will be home to Jim’s original Stenbergs, and the Inca machines he used in the latter years of his life, as well as a few of the workhorses from the school, dear to our alumni.
It makes me very happy to see our remaining machines go to our alumni, including five of our Canadian made General machines which will be traveling to Oren’s school in Israel. We will be selling a few of our fine Swedish workbenches, alumni interested, should contact the school by email.
Since I began teaching I have always carried a small moleskin notebook with me. It is there that I have kept my thoughts on teaching and on the craft. The smaller school will also enable me to return to my writing, including the book, that I am reminded by my students, and a very patient publisher is long overdue. Much of the photography for the book will be completed along side the filming in November.
One of my favourite pieces in our home, is a reproduction of Jim’s pipe cabinet made by Jake Maughan in his Upward Spiral term. When he presented this beautiful piece to Yvonne and I. He asked “What will you put in it?” I suggested that we would just enjoy it on its own and that it would one day hold something special.
At the time I had been keeping my notebooks in Jim’s cabinet. One morning, I was thinking the notebooks needed a new home. I placed one of my notebooks in the pipe cabinet, it was as if it was made for them. As I placed each of the notebooks in their new home, I reflected back on all the beautiful memories I have had as a teacher.
Years later, after a series of very busy terms and at a time when I was unable to do much of my own work, that cabinet was approaching full and I suggested to Yvonne that when the cabinet is full, I’m done.
One thing the time away from the school has taught me is just how much I love to teach, and that my passion for the craft is stronger than ever. When I realized that the cabinet was nearly full, I began another to make room for the next chapter for our school and in our lives, which in many respects has been one in the same. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Roberts Creek, our friends, our family and our students past and present. You have shaped our school and our lives.
With Love & Gratitude,
Robert & Yvonne