Class Hours: Monday – Wednesday, July 5 – 7, 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Cost: $300 (member), $325 (non-member) Materials $50
Class Maximum Size: 10
Place: Stevens Brook Elementary
Skill Level: Beginner

Explore the roots of American pottery thru the early American Redware tradition. This intensive demonstration and hands-on workshop emphasizes the imagery employed by colonial and post-colonial potters. Discussions and slide presentations will include the cultural and physical context of redware pottery, and of those extraordinary individuals who created it.

Demonstrations and hands-on exploration will focus on flatware; for example, plates and chargers. We will cover a broad range of decorative techniques employed during the early years of this country. These include slip trailing, marbling, feathering, and sgraffito with occasional forays into various techniques of the “Mocha,” or “Dipt Ware” tradition. The workshop will introduce imagery as an avenue towards understanding the material culture of early America. Working through a fairly chronological progression, the workshop builds on previous technical skills. Wheel thrown demonstrations might be possible if time, facilities, and interest allow.

Stephen Earp received his BFA in Ceramics from the University of Iowa in 1986. He apprenticed to Richard Bresnahan at St. John's Pottery in Minnesota. Earp worked several years as Ceramic Technician in Central America. He was Master Potter at Old Sturbridge Village and has taught wheel throwing and glaze chemistry classes at the Worcester Center for the Crafts, the Guild Studio School in Easthampton, and at the Northampton Pottery. Stephen Earp has been included in the National Directory of Traditional Arts since 2007. In 2008 Earp was included in the MA Cultural Council’s Traditional Arts Fellowship Program. His work can be seen online at www.stephenearp.com. He also publishes a bimonthly journal on early pottery called “This Day in Pottery History.” The journal can be seen at www.thisdayinpotteryhistory.wordpress.com.

As a student of the Rufus Porter style of painting for the past 25 years, historian, author and artist, Linda Carter Lefko will lecture on the Rufus Porter School of historic wall murals. In her presentation, she will show dozens of original wall murals and discuss the design elements, style and technique of this unique historic art. Lecture will include new research that will appear in the upcoming publication of Porter Landscape School wall murals. The lecture will be followed by a demonstration of the steps involved in painting a Porter style wall mural. Linda will work on a small wall mural during this class segment.

Linda Carter Lefko has been a researcher, teacher and painter of historic decorative arts for over thirty five years. She has done independent museum research in the United States and Europe. She has taught and lectured for several organizations and museums including Hitchcock Museum in Riverton, CT; American Folk Art Museum, NYC; Historical Society of Early American Decoration; The Society of Gilders and The Stencil Artisan's League.

Her work can be viewed at her website, www.lclefko.com.

Some of the questions most frequently asked by owners of older homes include “How old or what style is my house?”; “How do I solve some of my home’s problems at a price I can afford?”; “How do I adapt my house to the 21st century without destroying its character?”; “What can I do myself, and where do I find safe, competent, honest and reliable people to work on my house?”. These and many other questions will be answered during the morning session of this class. The afternoon session will be spent visiting old houses and investigating problems commonly found in old houses. Participants are encouraged to contact Linda with their specific questions. Students are also invited to bring photos of their homes that help to illustrate the issues they have questions about. Old house questions are best answered if they can be seen.

Linda Griffin is a broker specializing in antique homes at Linda Griffin Homes in Windham, Maine. She is a past member of Greater Portland Landmarks Advisory Service and co-president of the Windham Historical Society. She has personally restored 22 homes and physically moved two.

A graduate of the University of Maine Orono with a degree in education, Linda is often found on the trail of saving another home for future generations.

Class Hours: Tuesday, July 6, 8:30 AM — 5:00 PM
Cost: $100 (member), $110 (non-member) Materials $85
Class Maximum Size: 9
Place: Stevens Brook Elementary
Skill Level: Beginner, patience a plus

Scrimshaw, a folk art dating back centuries, is a special form of etching that became an American folk art associated with the golden age of the whaling industry. You will learn the techniques of line cutting, stippling and basic color work. We will have the opportunity to identify and experiment with different types of ivory, bone, corian and antler products and to create a finished piece to go home with.

Your materials fee will include all needed tools, magnifier, and practice pieces. A small selection of additional scrimshaw blanks will be available for purchase, but this is not required for the class.

Linda Layden has been a full time scrimshaw artist since 1975. She lived in Southeastern Massachusetts and was influenced by the city of New Bedford and the whaling history that filled the area. Scrimshaw was a big part of it and sooner or later she had to try her hand at it. In her 30+ years scrimshaw career, her beautiful nautical, wildlife and floral engravings have been sold through many stores, museums and internet shops throughout the world. A gallery of her work can be seen online at www.lindalayden.com and in her two internet shops, www.lindalayden.etsy.com and www.lindalayden.artfire.com.

Class Hours: Friday and Saturday, July 9 & 10, 9:00 AM — 4:00 PM both days
Cost: $200 (member), $215 (non-member) Materials $10
Class Maximum Size: 8
Place: Stevens Brook Elementary

This course will be a study in carving realistic faces. Starting with basic proportions, we’ll carve a practice block, spending time to discuss methods for carving each feature. Students will then carve a cottonwood bark wood spirit. Although realistic proportions will be discussed, students will be encouraged to have some fun “fitting the carving to the bark” creatively.

Tools: Bring a selection of knives and gouges if you have them. If you have none, I will have basic, inexpensive carving knives ($12.00), and a selection of optional tools available for purchase. At the very minimum, students will need a heavy duty carving knife. The outer bark is very tough, so you’ll need a knife that can handle it. Also a detail carving knife. I also suggest a small and medium veiner (#11 gouge) and a small v-tool. I will provide safety tape for carving hand thumbs. Carving gloves are very strongly suggested.

Marcia Berkall has been a professional carver and owner of “Whittlins ‘n Wood” in South China, Maine, for over 15 years. Her work can be seen in galleries from coast to coast and in private collections throughout the country and in Canada, England and Ireland. Marcia enjoys teaching, and recently her “Carving From the Heart” articles, encouraging carvers to find their own styles and artistic voices, have been featured in internationally circulated “Carving Magazine”.

The Patterson brothers, immigrants from Ireland, opened a tinsmith shop in Connecticut in the early 1700s. Sometimes called "poor man's silver," tin became extremely popular in the American colonies because it was inexpensive, lightweight, easy to clean and very durable. Tin punching decorated tinsmiths items and allowed light to emanate from lanterns. During colonial times, tin-punched items were called "pierced ware."

Students will be punching a 10″ × 14″ panel (unfinished frame included). All tools will be supplied and are part of the materials fee.

Martha Kinney, a native Vermonter, is owner of C.W. Designs and a certified teacher for the Adele Bishop Stenciling technique. She teaches classes at Smugglers’ Notch Resort, and decorates walls in homes and businesses for all to enjoy. Her devotion to these crafts is a natural outgrowth of her appreciation for and sense of connection to her ancestors’ way of life. She is a member of the Society of Decorative Painters, Stencil Artisans League, Inc. and the Historical Society of Early American Decoration. Her work can be seen at complimentarywalldesigns.com.

Learn about the art and science of building walls with dry stone. Stone-wallers Matt Carter and Mike Ellis of Green Island Stonework will be there to guide participants through a day of hands-on instruction. The workshop will teach traditional techniques to help novice and intermediate-level wallers lay-out, base, and build walls that are sturdy, straight, and properly cambered. With minimal lecturing, instructors will work alongside participants, fielding questions, guiding, and demonstrating as we all build. Participants will finish the day tired and dirty, but confident and ready to build their own stone wall.

Safety glasses and gloves will be provided. We advise you to wear or bring work boots and rain gear (if necessary). This year’s wall will be a long and low garden-style undertaking.

Matt Carter earned an AAS in horticulture from the State university of New York in the 1999, and through a rigorous series of testing and examinations over the course of several years, has been awarded an Advanced-level certification by the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain. (DSWA).

Learning the art of traditional chair caning takes time and patience so it is always best to start on something small whenever possible. This workshop has been designed to enable the student to learn basic techniques in much less time by using a footstool designed for just this class. Using cane from the climbing rattan palm, participants will learn the Seven-Step Method (that dates back to the pyramids!) and be able to take home a beautiful and useful keepsake, along with bragging rights of a newly accomplished seat weaver.

Susan is a native of MA, with family roots in Maine. She has been weaving chair seats for about 30 years. Today, she works out of her home studio, Homestead Seatweaving & Basketry. She restores all types of hand-woven chair seats and repairs wicker furniture for local antiques dealers, furniture restoration companies, and private customers. She teaches monthly workshops at Soule Homestead Farm in Middleborough, MA, as well as Adult Ed and After-School programs.

Susan is a positive, enthusiastic, cheerful, patient instructor who enjoys sharing her skills with others. Her pleasure comes from seeing the artistic beauty of the finished product. She says, “I will always be an advocate for old, useful things (like me!) and I believe an old chair need never be thrown away!”.

Class Hours: Monday, July 5, 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM AND Tuesday, July 6, 9:00 AM — 12:00 noon
Cost: $150 (member) $165 (non-member) Materials $50
Class Maximum Size: 10
Place: Stevens Brook Elementary

Students will learn basic copper foil method of Stained Glass. There will be the opportunity to make a sun-catcher and small panel as time allows.

Stained glass, as an art form, reached its height in the Middle Ages when it became a major pictorial form and was used to illustrate the narratives of the Bible to a largely illiterate populace. At the Reformation (16th century), in England large numbers of Medieval and Renaissance windows were smashed and replaced with plain glass. With this wave of destruction the traditional methods of working with stained glass died and were not to be rediscovered in England until the early 19th century.

Diane began her journey with stained glass in 1985 by attending two adult education classes. She bought a beginners book and started teaching herself, learning by research and lots of errors. She opened her own business, Prism Works, in Bridgton in June of 2000 and hasn’t stopped since. Her work is on exhibit at Gallery 302 in Bridgton. Her work is also available on her website, www.prismworksmaine.com.

Class Hours: Monday, July 5, 8:30 AM — 12:00 noon
Cost: $50 (member), $55 (non-member) Materials: $0
Class Maximum Size: 12
Place: Stevens Brook Elementary

Do you want to discover pieces of your past that can blossom into compelling stories? Tell personal stories that will be meaningful for listeners? Shape your life stories into an engaging memoir? Through a series of exploratory exercises, participants in this workshop will find stories they have never before thought of telling and shape life stories into presentations that will delight, move, and inspire audiences.

Over the past 15 years Jo has performed in theaters, festivals, conferences, schools, colleges, and at community events. She creates personal and family tales as well as stories about the people and history of Maine. She believes that humor and sadness are good bedfellows, and particularly favors characters who have shaped admirable lives around unavoidable misfortunes.

Jo holds a BA, MA, and PhD from Harvard University. She has published books on early Irish history, contemporary Anglo-Irish drama, and women's folklore, and articles in scholarly journals on Celtic studies, literature, Irish and American folklore, women's studies, Deaf culture, and New England social history. After 30 years of teaching literature, American Studies, folklore, and storytelling as a professor at American University in Washington, DC, Jo moved to her family home in Maine. See her website at www.joradner.com.

Have you hit the proverbial brick wall or road block in your genealogical research? Is an ancestor or two eluding you? This hands-on workshop will help you learn crafty ways to succeed in finding new evidence and avoid common pitfalls. Learn some solid strategies and ways to take a fresh look at what you’ve tried and what else you can do to find those pesky hidden ancestors. Please bring your laptop computer to class if you have one. We'll have a chance to use the Internet.

Carol P. McCoy, Ph.D. is owner of www.find-your-roots.com, a genealogy and family history research company, and has been solving genealogical problems for over 25 years. As president of the Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society, she has been leading a project to index early land deeds of Cumberland County, Maine. She is a part-time faculty member in Boston University's intensive Genealogy Certificate Program. A popular and entertaining speaker and coach, McCoy enjoys helping others build their skills.

Join Jennifer from Garden Dreams to create goat milk soap. Learn about her Nubian goats, and the excitement of creating your own soap. This soap is of the highest quality made from the milk of Jen’s goats. Goat milk makes soap creamier and the combination of herbs and essential oils helps promote healing of skin, seals in moisture, prevents drying, and excites the senses. You will leave the class with experience and resources to make soap at home with your family and friends. Each student will bring home 3 bars of goat milk soap.

Jennifer Kovach has been making soap for over ten years. She started this adventure while working on an organic farm in Northern New Hampshire and attending a herbal apprenticeship. Two people from two different parts of the country sent her the same book, Milk Based Soaps by Casey Makela. Coincidence? She thought it was an opportunity to learn something new. Soap making. Ten years later she has a successful herbal body product business. She is looking forward to talking to the class about soap making, organic farming and life.

Check out her website at www.gardendreams.org.

New England Fiddling, the style that Myra embraces, is the format for this class.

A Massachusetts native, Ms. MacLeod has been immersed in music her entire life. At the age of five, along with her mom and her 3 sisters, she began her musical studies at the South End Music Center, Boston. In the 1970's, she began her performance career in the richly creative Cambridge-Boston folk scene. Ms. MacLeod has maintained an active teaching and performing schedule for over twenty years, and loves every minute of it!

Myra offers classes for violinists who want to experience the fun of fiddling. The classes are fast-paced and highly participatory! We'll explore well beyond fiddle tunes to improvisation, practice issues and motivational strategies.

Her tunes can be heard on her website at www.myramac.com.

The first boats on Long Lake were powered by the wind and in many cases, pulled by horses on the shore. The Cumberland-Oxford Canal was opened at a cost of $206,000 in 1829. Fittingly, the first boat to traverse the canal was the George Washington. The first passenger steamboat on Long Lake was the Fawn built in North Bridgton in 1846 and launched in 1847. Regular travel on a steamboat continued until 1932. In early days, passengers were met by stage coach at the various boat landings.

In this fun-filled class, you will learn about the history of steamboat travel on Long Lake, then travel to Harrison (6 miles), and board a pontoon boat for a 2-hour cruise of the northern end of Long Lake. A gourmet lunch provided by the Olde Mill Tavern is included.

Gerry Smith, a native of Harrison, is a retired engineer. Upon returning to Harrison in 1987 he became active in the Harrison Historical Society and town government. He has lectured on early transportation systems including the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, the Narrow Gauge Railroad and steam boating on the lakes. He designed and built a half scale canal boat for Harrison's Bicentennial and is involved with the water powered sawmill at Scribners Mills where he is a director and specializes in making wooden barrels.

Quilling, the art of tiny paper roll decoration, gained popularity in the 1500 - 1600s when nuns used the torn edges from gilt-edged bibles and goose feathers to quill and decorate religious articles. The use of goose feathers gave rise to the name of quilling. Later it became a craft of the wealthy and was used to decorate household items.

This hands-on quilling workshop is for beginners and those who want a review of the techniques. It will cover making basic rolled coils, scrolls, and fringed flowers. As time permits, simple husking may be included. You will be making a gift card, bookmark, and/or gift tag.

When Marianne delved into the ancient art of paper curling, she discovered the perfect medium through which to express her artistic sensibilities. A self-taught artist with a lifelong fascination with miniatures and a deep respect for the natural world, Marianne curls and fashions innumerable strips of colored paper into startlingly detailed depictions of birds, flowers, trees and animals both large and small. Her work can be viewed at galleryatthevault.com/FIBER.html and galleryatthevault.com/FASSETT.html.