Port Townsend School of Woodworking
The Port Townsend School of Woodworking offered me a teaching position to teach Tlingit carving. I was really honored to do so. The week of November 8-12th was my first class, a Tlingit Paddle Carving course. I had 10 students for the week.
The Port Townsend School of Woodworking is located in Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, WA on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, right on the ocean. It was beautiful.
“to inspire a lifelong respect for craftsmanship and a passion for creating by providing a diverse, safe, and excellent woodworking education for all.” - Port Townsend School of Woodworking’s Mission
From the beginning, I asked that everyone respect the Tlingit Art form, providing a history of our culture, and heritage. I took the students thru the entire process, step by step of the necessary cuts to carve a paddle. I stressed however, by the end of the week, I don’t want every student holding a sanded, finished paddle. I wanted them to take the paddle home, and keep doing the finish work with their crooked knives. The finish work you put into a piece is what separates an average piece to something amazing, the earlier you learn and accept this, the better.
I was really proud of all the students, everyone worked really hard all week. Everyone’s hands were tired, but they kept going. Only minor cuts here and there. It was beautiful to hear all the adzes working. I have 3 more classes scheduled for 2022, I’m looking forward to coming back.
photos by Raphael Berrios & Kim Carver