Several of the Sunshine Coast’s diverse woodworkers and artists will share their expertise at this year’s Maleny Wood Expo May 2–3 in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
The WoodShed Workshop program is a great way for Expo visitors to get down in the sawdust and be inspired by the wonderful world of wood.
There are even WoodWorkshops for kids to learn practical skills and take home a Cool Stool to celebrate their entry into woodworking.
Visitors can join master woodcarver, Maleny’s Donald Powell, for two days of individual and group hand-held carving tuition. Don’s workshop is a great introduction to woodcarving, while also offering technical and design advice for more experienced carvers.
Don teaches extensively, contributes regularly to Australian Wood Review magazine and received a Churchill Fellowship to study woodcarving teaching methods in 1996.
A virtuoso carver, his work ranges from miniature to life size and is characterised by realism with exceptional attention to detail. He specialises in faces, figures and wildlife.
Another Maleny favourite, Richard Knight, will run a full day workshop in which participants will make a milking stool using traditional mortise and tenon joints and simple hand tools.
Richard’s introduction to this age-old technique can lead a creative woodworker anywhere and his sculptural art that doubles as functional rustic furniture is living proof – a great introduction to simple woodworking.
Steveo of Wooden Surfboards Shapes, will teach skateboarders and budding wood artists how to build a unique skateboard deck from sustainably harvested timber.
Create an eco-friendly, long or short, sturdy skateboard deck while learning fundamental woodworking skills.
Local blues duo Eb’n’Flo (aka Fleur Shelton and Paul Thorley) will take you on a musical journey through the blues, as they teach students young and old to build a Diddleybow from recycled materials and found objects.
The Diddleybow is a single-stringed instrument with its origins in West Africa. It is fundamental to the early blues movement when musicians made guitars out of things that most people throw away.
Local sculpture and installation artist, Kris Martin will hold several ‘Weaving with Cat’s Claw – a Weed of National Significance’ workshops over the weekend.
Take home your own bespoke woven basket, one that tells the unique story about how we can transform South East Queensland’s environmental Cat’s Claw problem into a beneficial solution.
For bookings or for more information on the 2015 WoodShed Workshop program visit malenywoodexpo.com/whats-on/
The Maleny Wood Expo is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a dynamic calendar of events throughout the state.