Class of 2007-2008
back row from left - Ed, Erik, Paul, Robert & Michael
middle row from left - Yvonne, Gary, Doug, Douglas, Dan & Ian
front row from left - Adam, Daisuke, Juan Carlos, Matt & Walker
foreground - Indy & Chi Chi
Welcome to the newest publication of Benchroom this Week. Thank you for taking the time to check in on the work currently underway at our small school. This school not only exists for you but because of you and we are very grateful for your on going support. The students and faculty are preparing our pieces for our annual show which takes place in just three weeks. The school will continue to be open from 6:30am until 10pm seven days a week until the show, likely longer during the final few days. If you would like to attend the show and need accommodation please check our our fine local Bed and Breakfasts for availability.
We received a very thoughtful gift from a craftsman in Palo Alto California. A beautiful piece of secupira confirming that the piece we had, thought to be the last was infact not. We are all very grateful for the wood and for his gracious comments about our school. I am heading down to the beach and enjoy Earth Day with my daughter. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Warmest Regards,
Robert
Artisan & Craftsman for Programs 2008 -2009
There is limited space available in our Artisan Programs for 2008. If you would you would like more information or would like to register call Yvonne toll free at 1.877.943.9663. Alternatively registrations may be faxed to 1.604.885.9711.
We have confirmed our first-year students for the 2008-2009 Craftsman Program. The group consists of men and women from Japan, Ireland, Columbia, United States & Canada. We are currently accepting applications for the 2009-2010 Craftsman Program.
We have recently posted our Artisan Program dates for 2009.
New Program
Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking is pleased to announce the addition of a new program at the school. The Resident Artisan Program picks up where the Artisan Program leaves off allowing graduates of our Artisan Program the opportunity to return to the school and for the designing and making of a fine piece of furniture under the direction of Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking Faculty and Resident Craftsman.
The Resident Artisan Program provides a great opportunity to refine existing skills and develop new skills in a relaxed and creative environment conducive to doing fine work.
There is limited space in this program. Currently the first session is full and we are accepting registrations for the second session which runs from July 14th to August 22nd 2008. If you would like more information about this program contact Yvonne at 1.877.943.9663 and arrange for an initial consultation with our Program Director.
JK Lectures
Last week Jim's lectures dealt with Chair Making and Life after School. This week he it was a review of dovetails, doweling and assembly. These topics came at a very good time in the program with final projects underway. As with all his lectures which it was his drifting off topic into other areas of our craft which many of us find this words the most inspiring. Jim is currently making planes from afromosia which he working properties likens the mesquite he had been using. This coming week Jim will be discussing NK and side hung drawers.
Jim Krenov continues to lecture on a weekly basis. Segments from these lectures will soon be available on our website. We are working with our computer advisor on the logistics of making this a simple process. My experience to date has been things with computers are seldom simple and counterintuitive to the way we, or at least I work. We are very grateful for Jim's evolvement with the school. His words continue to inspire a new generation of craftsmen.
Journeyman Program
We are putting together the Journeyman Program schedule for this coming fall and spring. We are grateful to have our alumni and the alumni from the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program assist with the curriculum delivery. Each year we have had several visiting craftsman, each providing our students a fresh perspective into the limitless possibilities which exist within our craft. Any alumni interested in participating in this program please contact Robert toll free at 1.877.943.9663.
Resident Craftsman Program
Doug Ives from Gibsons British Columbia with dry fit of cabinet with integrated stand in afromosia, zebrano, wenge and Post Orford cedar. Doug is busy dialing in the shape of his legs and will be attaching a tapered laminated arch which will secure the legs at the top. I enjoy watching Doug work. He doesn't neglect the use of machines but emphasizes the use of hand tools. Doug has been a fine mentor to our first year students and we are pleased that he will have an ongoing conection with the school in a capacity yet to be determined.
Juan Carlos Fernandez from Caracas Venezuela has fit the rosette for his cabinet which had to be done on a compound curve. Juan has since carved an arch in the underside to lighten it up. Juan Carlos is busy dialing in the hinge fit before turning his attention to the final glue up and then stand which will be made of some very sweet African mahogany we picked up at Gilmers this past fall. We are very pleased that Juan Carlos will be joining our faculty upon graduation.
Craftsman Program
Dan has the forms nearly completed the forms for lofting ducks. They frames have been aligned with dowels and have a temporary partition placed while the plaster of Paris dries. Once these forms are cleaned up we will be melting down recycled tire weights with on a small gas camp stove and pour into the molds. Once dry brasing rod will be inserted for the hooks.
Ed Tickle from Kamloops British Columbia completes the necessary spline joinery before moving onto surface preparation which he is using his finely tuned cabinet scraper. The panels and rails will require final shaping and finishing prior to his glue ups. Ed has done a fabulous job at aligning the grain graphics for this piece.
Erik Copeland from Richmond Hill Ontario has been busy with the joinery for his rocking chair of red cabruva. Erik is currently fitting the back splates to lumbar and crest rails which have to be done with live compound angled mortise and tenon for structural reasons. A very challenging joint for any fine craftsman.
Matt Hales from London England trims up his applied edges. Since this photo was taken Matt has completed the dowel construction of the three cabinets which will be joined by the stand with consists of two frames of jatoba which well require carefully cut joinery.
Walker Savage from Seattle Washington checks his top panel to Jim's original drawing. Unfortunatly, Walker has to return home for the remainder of the program. At this point we are hoping that he will able to return for the show and graduation ceremonies. Robert has invited Walker back for the month of August to complete his piece and remain on for the first week of the Craftsman Program while taking part in the Journeyman Program. Walker will be dearly missed by all of us at the school.
Douglas Hagerman from Gibsons British Columbia completed his lovely box and has begun a sculpture stand of claro walnut. He has all his parts broken out and is allowing them to settle while he completes his mock up, shop drawings and cut list. Douglas, Daisuke and Michael will each present on Friday afternoon when the pieces returns from being photographed.
Paul Nielsen from Evergreen Alabama dry fit his desk stand of English brown oak this week and has since dialed in his top supports which will be attached to the front and rear upper rail with twin live through and wedged mortise and tenon joinery. Paul has also finished applying his bake ins and is edge jointing his top veneers of shedua. Already allot of subtle details in this lovely fly tying desk. Artisan Program students will benifit a great deal from having this fine young craftsman around for thier program.
Daisuke Tanaka from Nishio-shi, Aichi-ken Japan is busy shaping his six legs of his stool which will feature multiple live mortise and tenon joinery and parquetry veneer on the seat. When I asked Daisuke if he would be shaping the legs, on the shaper or by hand. He replied it will take me longer to set up the shaper than to just dial them in with a spokeshave. I concur, Daisuke has developed very fine hand skills since arriving at the school. We are very pleased to have this fine young craftsman back for a second year of study. Daisuke is also preparing the wooden screws for the bench he intends on making in Brian Newell's shop which he has rented for the month of August back in Japan.
Adam Larson from Edmonton Alberta has been busy shaping the components for his chair. He will get the shaping very close before assembly after which time he will need to go back and dial the shaping in. Adam's partner Jodie is taking part in the Sun Run today in Vancouver. From all of us at Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking we extend our support and congratulations. Adam and Franka will be there to cheer Mom on! We are very grateful to have this wonderful young family back when Adam returns for his second year of study.
Dan Cearley from San Jose California with the dry fit of his front and rear frames in Costa Rican cocobolo. The panels will be pierced carved Nicaraguan cocobolo, the interior will be shop sawn pacific yew and four antique glass panels. Dan's piece is filled with micro twin mortise and tenon joinery and lovely details.
Michael Miller from Halfmoon Bay British Columbia completed his rather complex curved frame and panel wall cabinet in teak and olive and has already shaped the front and back legs of his chair and has a good start on his multiple floating mortise and tenon joinery. Michael has made incredible progress this year as a craftsman we are grateful for his ongoing evolvement at the school. Next year Michael has been working on a desk which he plans to complete as a second year student.
Faculty
The above sideboard by Craftsman & Teacher Ian Godfrey will be on display at this years student, alumni and Faculty show next month. Don't miss the opportunity to see this fine piece of craftsmanship. The piece has been sold and will be crated up and shipped of to Germany in a few months. Ian's sideboard was featured in Fine Woodworking Magazine this past fall. Ian has been working on a lovely Danish inspired stool in ah for the show which features housed twin mortise and tenon.
Last week Resident Craftsman & Teacher Robert Van Norman lectured on Chair Making and Life after School. This week he moved onto curved drawer fronts including curves side to side and top to bottom. He did manage a few hours on his chair. The arm to back leg and front leg is nearly there. Assembly soon. Only three weeks to the show! This coming week Robert will discuss NK and side hung drawers with the students.
Candid
Douglas with hair!
Sculpture, an extra curricular activity at the school. Creativity lives even during daily cleanup.
Michael, with far too much time on his hands.
Alumni
Our Annual Student Alumni & Faculty Show will once again take place at the James & Britta Krenov Gallery and Gallery Five located just across the courtyard on May 9th 2008 at 7pm. If you have any new work you would like to present for this event please contact Robert or Yvonne at the school.
We are in the process of setting up websites for each of our Craftsman Program alumni. Please forward any images or text you would like included on your web page including a biography to yvonne@insidepassage.ca