Introduction to Wood Carving

We warmly welcome Tim Bilton from the Barrie Carving Club!

Together, we will step into the timeless craft of woodcarving, learning how to bring a face to life from a simple piece of wood. With guidance, patience, and a steady hand, Tim will lead us through the foundational techniques of carving, shaping form, exploring expression, and discovering the quiet rhythm that emerges when we work with our hands.

You will leave not only with your own hand-carved wooden face, but with a deeper appreciation for the art of carving: its meditative quality, its storytelling potential, and the way it invites us to slow down and truly see what is waiting within the wood.

Each participant will receive a handmade carving knife, crafted by a local carver, to continue their journey beyond the workshop.

All materials provided. No experience needed. Just come as you are.

This workshop is designed for adults. A future offering for children and youth is on the horizon.

About Tim

Tim Bilton is a passionate woodcarver and dedicated member of the Barrie Carving Club, where he has spent years honing his craft and sharing it with others. Known for his patient, encouraging teaching style, Tim delights in welcoming beginners into the world of carving and helping each participant find confidence in their own creative expression.

For Tim, carving is more than a skill, it is a practice of presence, a way of connecting with material, and a means of bringing character and story to life through simple tools and thoughtful attention.

His hope is that each person who joins him leaves not only with a finished piece, but with a spark of inspiration and the confidence to continue carving long after the workshop ends.

https://www.barriewoodcarvingclub.ca/

DETAILS:

This Workshop will take place outside our Gathering Yurt at picnic tables in the shade of a 200 year old Maple Tree. Chairs will be available.

What to Bring:

• Whatever you need to feel comfortable (Water bottle, Snacks)

• If you have a favourite folding/camping chair, please feel welcome to bring it

• Dress for the weather (If the weather is less than ideal, we will move inside our heated Gathering Yurt)

Accessibility & Inclusion

We strive to make our workshops welcoming and accessible to all. This is a small-group, seated experience where participants can move at their own pace with gentle, one-on-one guidance.

Please note that woodcarving involves hand strength, dexterity, and the use of sharp tools. If you have any concerns, we encourage you to reach out so we can explore how to best support your participation.

Our space includes indoor shelter that has 2 small steps up and an accessible portable toilet washroom , though the farm terrain can be uneven ground. There is a short 3-4 minute walk from the parking lot to the Gathering Yurt on a grass path, and the ground can be uneven in places. We can provide transportation on our Golf Cart to the Yurt if requested ahead of time. If accessibility is a barrier, physically or financially, please connect with us. We are happy to help where we can.

We recognize that the land we learn and play on is the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples. As a small gesture of reciprocity and relationship, we offer a 50% access code for Indigenous participants. If it supports your participation, please feel welcome to use the code: INDIGENOUSACCESS during checkout.

You are welcome here.