Ten-week Wood Carving Course

Three hour Wednesday night or Friday night wood carving course over ten weeks in Blackburn or North Melbourne



10 x 3 hours

Class size 1 to 8 (public classes), 1 to 6
  $650 (PayPal Pay in 4 available)

Join contemporary artist and woodcarver Wanda Gillespie in this 10 week open carving course in Melbourne! Bring your own project to be guided on or choose a set project, and learn about tool choice, timber, sharpening, and finishing.
In this course, you’ll learn traditional and contemporary carving techniques at your own pace. Wanda will guide you step by step, from tool handling and safety through to creating your own unique carved piece.
Previous classes have included carving acanthus leaves and ornamental designs in relief, birds, owls, and animals, chip carving patterns, and whittling comfort birds. In Wanda's personal work, she focuses on figurative and portrait sculpture, and she's happy to share this knowledge too. Whether you’d like to follow a set project or bring your own idea, she'll guide you through every stage of the process.
Wednesday evening classes are held from 630 - 930pm at the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking in Blackburn, while Friday evening classes are from 6 - 9pm at the Victorian Woodworkers Association in North Melbourne.
What you'll get
The completion of work really depends on the complexity of the project; however, Wanda would envisage at least one project being finished by the end of the term.
Knowledge required
No prior knowledge is required.
What to bring
Enthusiasm, chisels are provided but bring yours if you have your own. A small piece of timber will be provided for an initial relief work but subsequent projects timber will need to be purchased.
Session repeats

This class series runs over 10 consecutive sessions, at the same time every week.

Location

14 Cottage St, Blackburn VIC and 5 Tyrone St, North Melbourne VIC (varies by date; click the date selector to see details)

Ten-week Wood Carving Course location
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Your teacher

Wanda Gillespie
Wanda Gillespie

5.0 (26)
female Women-owned

I’m Wanda Gillespie, a contemporary artist, woodcarver, and sculptor based in Naarm/Melbourne. My journey into woodcarving began over 15 years ago after an inspiring artist residency in Indonesia, which sparked my deep connection to this traditional craft. Since then, I’ve been honing my skills and exploring the expressive possibilities of wood.
For the past eight years, I’ve been teaching woodcarving, both privately and in small classes. I’m passionate about sharing this craft with others, especially through chip carving—a great entry point for beginners that only requires one tool, the chip carving knife. I also love teaching more ornamental and figurative carving, whether in relief or in the round, and helping students discover the beauty and versatility of working with wood.
I studied Fine Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts, and I was honoured to receive a fellowship to teach undergraduate students in the Sculpture department. My work has been exhibited in numerous high-profile exhibitions and art prizes, and I regularly hold solo exhibitions. Over the years, my woodcarving has evolved, and I’ve developed a particular focus on portrait and figurative sculptures, which allow me to capture intricate details and emotional depth in the medium of wood.
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