Woodshop
The Folk Art Guild Guild Woodshop offerings range from finely turned bowls and vessels to furniture, end-grain cutting boards, wooden spoons and folk toys hewn from local wood.
“In all aspects of the craft, the woodworkers strive to work with care and attention. How can we work quickly and intelligently at the same time? All parts of a person are called: the mind, the body, and the heart. This coming together is special, and rare. When it occurs we become part of the greater process. It is truly then not me alone doing the work, I am participating in the continuous thread of this craft tradition.”
— Artist’s Statement from the Rochester Folk Art Guild Woodshop
The Woodshop
The woodshop was the first craft studio built after the Guild purchased East Hill Farm in 1967. Nearby antique barns were moved by beam and board across the valley and repurposed in the woodshop and other buildings.
Individuals have pursued the branch of the craft that draws them. Some have specialized in researching and making toys from folk traditions across the world, while some craft hardwood furniture and accessories by commission and on speculation. Others caught the bug to turn wood on the lathe, making both decorative pieces and functional ware, sometimes from historic local trees.
Find Our Work
You can purchase craftwork from the Woodshop in our Etsy Store (FolkArtWood) and in East Hill Gallery at the Guild. The Woodshop is open for shopping and tours during special events, such as our Open House and Apple Fest, and the Naples Open Studio Trail in October and Holiday Open Studio weekends in November and December. The full schedule can be viewed at the Calendar of Events.
Education
Apprentices come to the wood shop for training. We emphasize the use of hand tools and skills whenever it is practical. This develops competence in a range of settings. See Residential Programs
People come frequently for private classes in woodturning, which are arranged by appointment. This is a fun activity for a parent and teen, couples or friends to spend a day together learning something new. Enquire below, or see Classes and Workshops for more information on this and other offerings.
Learn to Turn
Private Woodturning Classes are available by appointment, contact David Barnet at the Rochester Folk Art Guild Woodshop:
