Individual tutoring or small group classes are held periodically in my workshop.
Contact me for more information.
Information on our next class below...
Burnsville Carving Club
Open Carving
Thursdays 6 pm - 9 pm
First-timers - no charge. A free wood blank and loan of a carving knife will be provided
Diamondhead Education Center ISD 191 200 Burnsville Parkway Upper level, enter through Door #2 Room 2012 (Campus Cup) Burnsville, MN 55337
Acanthus Carving with Jock Holmen
Learn to carve elegant, ornate leaf designs in wood. Acanthus carving dates back many centuries and is used to add beauty to both structural and decorative woodwork. In this class, we will learn the basic techniques of working with wood grain, the elements of design, and the use and care of woodcarving tools. You will learn to carve all the way around the piece, including the back side. It will be possible to carve a panel or a clock in this style.
If you have never carved this style before, you will start with a simple scroll and there will be numerous projects to choose from. You may bring your own projects, or the instructor will provide patterns and blanks.
Students also have the option of carving a simple dragon head carving as an alternative to Acanthus. The dragon head offers protection and is a representation of the dragon heads on the bows of Viking ships.
Tuition: member $310 non-member $325 Supplies: Materials: $25-$75, payable to the instructor. Bring your Acanthus carving tools. Jock has sets of tools for rent for beginning students.
Intermediate Flat Plane Figure Woodcarving - May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2026 American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis
Various
Stay tuned for course descriptions and more information.
We will post links to register for all classes as soon as they are available.
Stay tuned for updates and new classes
Hand-Carved Wooden Signs with Jock Holmen
Personalize any place by creating a hand-carved wooden sign roughly 30” x 8”. Woodcarver Jock Holmen will teach the entire sign-making process, from proper design to layout, letter and incised carving, painting, and finishing options while students work on a personal project. Whether it will hang at the cabin, the garden, a business, or bedroom, a handcrafted sign is a great addition.
Instruction will include both incised and raised letters, focusing on design, layout and carving.
Finishing options will be discussed so that students will leave with a clear idea of how to paint and complete their carved sign.
The instructor will contact students ahead of time to discuss their projects; there may be limitations due to time and materials.
Students are requested to bring two examples of letter styles they like to class. A printout with upper case letters approximately 3” tall and lower case approximately 2” tall would be helpful.
Tuition: member $185 non-member $200 Supplies: Approximate project size, 30” x 8”. Materials fee: $25 for basswood. Students are welcome to bring their own wood. Supply fee: $25 for basswood. Students are welcome to bring their own wood.