All are welcome to attend a free taster session where you’ll be introduced to the facilities and learn the basics of carving using a mallet and chisel. Contact us to arrange a mutually agreeable time during our opening times.
Foundation Course
Our foundation course offers 8 weeks of guided learning. You will become competent at basic relief carving and complete a spandrel and rose carving. It enables learners to safely use the workshop and develop their skills so they can later pursue their own carvings. Each 3 hour guided learning session costs £15 and is payable directly to the tutor. Sessions can be arranged on an individual basis at mutually agreeable time during our opening hours.
Membership
Membership of the Association includes unlimited use of the workshop and access to further in-house courses, talks, visits and events. Courses run from time to time include clay maquette making, moulding, flora and fauna carving, lettering and gilding. Recent talks include a York Minster stonemason, professional artist stone carver and sign writer. Occasional visits are organised to local quarries and places of interest such as York Minster Stone Yard. Members regularly take part in the European Stone Festival and a range of local agricultural and cultural events such as the Halifax Show. Membership fees are currently £25 a month and include unlimited use of the workshop.
Membership is open to all with an interest in stone carving and who are willing to support the aims of the Association. Members are encouraged to attend our annual AGM and must demonstrate safe workshop practices.
Green Man Carving Weekend
Our tutors run an occasional weekend carving course. Learn how to carve an authentic green man from soft Maltese limestone in a weekend. The green man is an ancient symbol of fertility and spring rebirth with many finely carved examples found in churches and sites across the world. No previous experience necessary and all abilities catered for with small group tuition. Further details:
https://www.craftcourses.com/courses/green-man-stone-carving-weekend-in-yorkshire
Yorkshire Rose 1 Day Carving Course
Learn how to relief carve this beautiful Yorkshire rose with the help of our experienced tutor in just one day. Suitable for beginner and intermediate carvers.
https://cademy.co.uk/the-west-riding-stonecarving-association/yorkshire-rose-carving-class
Group Taster Sessions
& Improving Mental Health Initiatives
We welcome group taster sessions from visiting organisations and can offer a bespoke introductory session to suit the needs of your group. Get in touch if you would like to organise a tour of our workshop and introduction to the historic art of carving. All are welcome at the Association and we regularly facilitate female and retired groups.
We have also partnered with a number of initiatives to improve mental health, which aim to combat loneliness, isolation and stimulate physical, creative and problem solving thinking. Please get in touch if we can be of help with your initiative.
Want to try stone carving?
Members have unlimited use of the workshop during the following opening ours:
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Thursday
- 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday
- Closed
- Saturday
- 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
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West Riding Stonecarving Association 