Wood

Wood Workshops at Penland

Penland offers intensive workshops of varying lengths, taught by visiting instructors in our well-equipped studios. Class topics include furniture design and construction, wood sculpture, joinery, boat building, wooden instruments, wood carving, and more. Workshops are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.

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  • Please read this note about our session schedules.
Wood – Spring Concentration
March 2 – April 25, 2025 (8 Weeks)
Mark Melonas
Concrete: It’s Hard

This workshop is an exploration of the possibilities, challenges, and beauty of concrete. By using multiple moldmaking methods, mix recipes, and casting techniques, students will gain an understanding of this seductive material. We will create samples of many mix formulas to investigate color, texture, and particle placement. Students will explore modern artisan approaches and combine them to create their own language with concrete. Working backwards and forwards and back again, we will use design skills and problem solving to design objects and the molds used to make them. Possible outcomes include furniture, vessels, and hollow or solid sculptural forms. All levels. 

Designer, artisan, and owner of LUKE WORKS Studio (Baltimore) creating concrete, metal, and wood furniture, sinks, and objects for local and national clients; visiting artist: Virginia Commonwealth University, IYRS School of Technology & Trades (RI), Maryland Institute College of Art; teaching: Baltimore School for the Arts, Peters Valley (NJ), Workshop of Our Own (Baltimore), Arrowmont (TN), Penland.

markmelonas.netlukeworks.com | @lukeworks

Regular enrollment begins November 15.

Mark Melonas, Loveseat, concrete, weathering steel, black locust, upholstery, 21 x 56 x 21 inches
Mark Melonas, Loveseat, concrete, weathering steel, black locust, upholstery, 21 x 56 x 21 inches
Mark Melonas, Nana Lamp, concrete, pigment, 6 x 7 x 7 inches
Mark Melonas, Nana Lamp, concrete, pigment, 6 x 7 x 7 inches
Wood – Spring Short Session
April 27 – May 2, 2025 (4 studio days)
Sarah Marriage
Tambour Time

In this workshop, we will explore the basic principles at play behind one of woodworking’s most magical techniques: the tambour door. We will begin with a discussion of the history of tambours and a variety of techniques for creating them. Students will use a classic canvas-backing technique to create their own tambour panel. We will also build small, simple cabinets with all the necessary tracks, escape routes, and other details to bring our tambours to life. All levels. 

Furniture maker and educator; founder and president of A Workshop of Our Own (MD); teaching: A Workshop of Our Own (MD),The Krenov School (CA), Haystack (ME), Anderson Ranch (CO); exhibitions: Center for Art in Wood (PA), Area 405 (MD), Grace Hudson Museum (CA), Pritam & Eames (NY).

sarahmarriage.com | aworkshopofourown.com | @sarah_marriage

Regular enrollment begins November 15.

Sarah Marriage, Toby’s Cabinet, cherry, canvas, 35 x 44 x 24 inches
Sarah Marriage, Toby’s Cabinet, cherry, canvas, 35 x 44 x 24 inches