Welcome to our website and the current publication of Heart Hand and Eye, Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking's newsletter celebrating the work of our students, alumni and faculty.
James Krenov
1920-2009
Celebration of the Life and Work
On September 9th of this year the world lost one of the most influential craftsman and teachers of our time. And I lost my friend. My first conversation with Jim Krenov took place in the fall of 1987 and my last was just a few days before Jim passed.
I am so very grateful for our friendship that spanned over two decades. His words of encouragement shaped my work as a craftsman, and as a teacher. In 1998 an unfortunate life changing experience lead to the realization of the dream when I was given the opportunity to study with Jim at the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program the following year. I consider myself very fortunate to be alumni of that fine school. The year my family and I spent in Fort Bragg California had profound influence on our lives. Our school would not exist had not been for the generous assistance of all my teachers there. However it was in the years that followed that Jim’s impact on my life and work would be even more deeply felt.
Jim gave his first lecture at our school in the fall of 2005 and the last to my students earlier this summer. In the months that followed we spoke on a regular basis during which time I know he tried to prepare me for the time in which my own experience and the many years of conversations would be left to carry out his work. So today I said goodbye to my friend and make a promise to always remember.
On October 31, 2009 we gathered at the school to celebrate my teachers life and work. I would like to extend deep gratitude to Derrick and Trudene du Toit for allowing us to bring one of Jim’s last cabinets in for the celebration. To my students who insist that while his voice is silent, his spirit remains strong in our work at the school, I thank you for all of your kind words. Reflecting back on the day, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude, with alumni in attendance from each of our first five years. Many made significant sacrifices to attend and wish I had words to adequately convey my appreciation.
The celebration concluded with those in attendance writing a few words on a piece of Alaska yellow cedar at which time shavings were taken and placed in a box of Canadian maple and Mendocino cypress made by our students and resident craftsman in Jim’s honor.
The plane used was made by Jim in 1960, passed along to Michael Burns in 1980, the year the College of the Redwoods was founded. Michael passed the plane along to me in 2004, the year our school was founded. While he and Jim drifted apart in the later years Michael's friendship remains very important to me. The plane iron was careful sharpened by third year student and resident craftsman Daisuke Tanaka from Japan. The box will be burned at an Elephants to will take place at our home in a few weeks.
I spoke to Britta following the ceremony when I conveyed our appreciation for all her efforts making Jim's weekly lectures possible. Britta continues to be an important person in my family's life. Britta has asked that any one wishing to make a contribution in Jim's memory be made to the James Krenov Scholarship Fund.
Student & Faculty Work
Craftsman Program 2009
If you would like to view more of our work follow the link below
Fine Furniture Online
"I live in a beautiful place and work at something Ilove. I make enough money to live and my demands on the worlds resources are very meager."
John Brown
In the past five years we have had nearly five hundred students from Japan, Korea, Australia, Colombia, South Africa, United States, Canada, Germany, Ireland, England, Romania, Barbados, Zimbabwe, Switzerland and Venezuela.
We are nearing completion of fundamental exercises in our fifth Craftsman Program with a full compliment of students including four second year students and one third year student.
I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude to all of our students, alumni and faculty, this school not only exists for you but because of you.
Student & Alumni Blogs
If you are interested following our students work at the school or the work of a few of our alumni please follow the links below.
We are accepting registrations for our Program Schedule for 2010. 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 are currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Craftsman Program.
Our Next exhibition of student, alumni and faculty work will take place at our annual open house which will take place on December 19, 2009 at our schools Heart Hand & Eye Gallery. There will be more information regarding this event in the next publication of our newsletter.
After reviewing the curriculum of both our Artisan and Craftsman Programs with Jim this past summer, we will be continue to make minor refinements to each of our programs. Descriptions will be updated in the coming months. If you have any questions please call Yvonne on our toll free number 1.877.943.9663.
We will be enlisting the services of a web designer to assist us with the design of our new website. We hope to have it up in the new year.
I would to thank my soul mate, my friend, my partner in life and work for keeping me, our school and our family on course.
Be well and enjoy your work,
Robert