Our 2nd Year

with 35 people including instructors. Once again it was held at the 2200-acre woodland and ponds of the Alton B. Jones Annex of the University of Rhode Island. The Retreat ran from Friday night at 5:30pm through Monday at 5:00pm; over the Columbus Day weekend.

For 1998 we incorporated the recommendation from the 1997 RETREAT to include formal classes as well as retaining the option for people to attend and work on their own projects. We used the same facilities as in 1997 for Friday night through Monday evening; 9, 10 ,11, and 12 October 1998. This was one day longer than 1997 and includes a holiday, Columbus weekend.

Instructors in 1998 and their Sat/Sun classes were:

Rip Stangroom - Colonial full figure Flat Plane Style, Sat & Sun.

Peter Benson - Relief floral and wildlife subject designs available (or bring your own design), Sat & Sun.

Pete LeClair - Little Boy full figure Caractiture Style Sat & Sun.

Jim O’Dea - Various novice projects,Sat, Sun and Mon

Pete LeClair (Caricature Carvers of America) carving a full figure “ Little Boy”, a full figure caricature.

Rip Stangroom (New England Wood Carvers Club) carving a full figure “Colonial” person in flat plane style.

Peter Benson, (Chairman of the British Woodcarvers Association) carving in relief,

Jim O'Dea (Mystic Carvers Club) carving assorted projects for novices.

Check in started at 5:30 pm on Friday 8 October 1999. We had a self-serve evening meal (Beef Stew) available starting at 6 P.M. Friday night. At 7 P.M. we introduced the RETREAT organizers and instructors, and asked everyone to introduce themselves and express their carving interests. At 8 pm, Peter Benson gave an informal lecture/question answer period with some 35mm slides on woodcarving in the UK, highlighting the major differences with woodcarving as practiced in the US.

Saturday and Sunday nights were open for impromptu classes. This year classes included:

Ed Cattey teaching a tool sharpening workshop.

Harold Griffin teaching a Sperm Whale workshop.

On Sunday night we had a wood identification contest. Below are pictured the prizes given for the various contests and as door prizes.

On Monday students switched instructors and attended a different demonstration/carve along with:
Monday morning - Pete LeClair demonstrating how to carve a human face,

Monday afternoon - Pete LeClair demonstrating his wet on wet oil painting technique.

Monday Morning/Afternoon - Rip Stangroom carving Friar Tuck ( 3” tall full figure.

Monday Morning/Afternoon - Peter Benson gave a talk on miniatures and Netsuke with some opportunity for students to model or carve them.

Monday Morning - Jim O’Dea carving a Santa head tree ornament.