It’s been a week since my bowl class at Peter Galbert Workshops ended. While I’ve settled back in and have returned to some projects that were underway, my time at Pete’s is still fresh on my mind.
What a pleasure it was to get to know these eight “students” over our six days together. I put that in quotes because I think I learned as much from them as they did from me. Architect, arborist, goat farmer… I was taking notes on all sorts of things from design terminology to regional colloquialisms. Then there’s also what I learned from being around Pete for a week.
Of course, in class we focused on all things related to bowl carving and even made bowls. We practiced various layout techniques on poster board for reference at home later. That’s Joe’s version above. Joe knows his way around a pencil.
In spite of this being my first go-around with this particular class, all went smoothly because Pete and his shop manager, Karen, provide a wonderful space in which to work.
As we were all introducing ourselves on the first morning, I was struck by the fact that three of the students had taken classes at Pete’s before. Some of them three or four times.
They come, and come back, for many reasons…Georgia, all of the handmade (Pete-made) chairs and stools around, the coffee, Karen, the transfer of knowledge and skills, and the encouraging, positive atmosphere that Pete has established. I just stepped right into it. Pete has a passion and an incredible talent for making wonderful things. It is matched by his drive to connect people to the experience and to each other.
A couple months ago, Pete wrote in his blog, “If I could only work with one species for the rest of my days, it would be white oak.” So that’s what I used to carve the sign above for him. (That’s a representation of a travisher in the middle).
While “Peter Galbert Workshops” is the official name, there’s more of a personal connection for those that have been there. They think of it as “going back to Pete’s.”
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
nice work by the students aided by a great teacher–glad it was a success.
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Thanks Marie.
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Nice one Dave!That butternut bowl is a real beauty.
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Thanks Jane! They did great work.
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I’m signed up for the October class and yes this will be my second trip “back to Pete’s”! I am really looking forward to this class.
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I’ll look forward to meeting you, Frank. See you in October!
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You won’t regret it. I learned more and had more fun than I’ve had at any wood classes.
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Dave,
This wonderful post has re-kindled fond memories of one amazing week! Thank you so much for giving us yet another reason to come “back to Pete’s”. Your extensive knowledge, gentle teaching technique, and high standard of care has kept me buoyant over the past week and a half. I hope our paths will cross again soon…in fact it would be great if it happened “back at Pete’s”.
Joe Bass
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Thanks, Joe. I’ll look forward to that path-crossing time too!
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Just a shameless plug for Dave’s classes. I had so much fun, I’m still talking about it to everyone I see. Not only did I learn about bowl carving, but so many other things. I thought I knew a lot about sharpening. I learned quickly I knew nothing about sharpening gouges. We had some great conversations about sharpening and had the opportunity to sharpen our own tools. We also spent quality time learning about layout. We had two draftsmen in our course. That really added to the learning. I wasn’t sure what I was going to leave with at the end of the week. I left with a completed, including oiled, bowl. I was able to carve the trees on the handles as well. I also left with a chip carving sample board. I never felt rushed. We had the time to really practice what Dave was teaching us. So, let’s talk about Dave for a minute. One of my chairmaker friends told me Dave was the nicest guy he had met. Dave really is. He treated everyone with respect, answered every question, and his teaching style really works for me. He demonstrated and talked thru why he was doing what he was doing. He walked around observing everyone giving advice and pointers where needed. I also enjoyed watching him walk around thru the week getting to know everyone. You ever had a class where you felt that if you saw the instructor next week walking down the street, he wouldn’t know you? That is not Dave. Not only did I leave with my bowl, sample board, and knowledge, I feel as if I left with a new friends. If you ever get a chance to take a class with Dave you won’t regret it.
-Jay
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