Name: Stone Carving 2 day Workshop
Start: 2025-08-30T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-08-31T16:00:00+01:00
Location: St Anne's Arts & Community Centre

Tutor: John Piper
This unique two day workshop (Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm) will introduce you to the age old art of carving stone by hand.
We will begin by looking at and familiarising ourselves with the tools and materials required and then look at how those tools are used in the process carving stone.
There will be demonstrations of technique and advice on all aspects of carving stone by hand throughout the workshop.
You will be supplied a block of stone on which you will create a relief carving of your choice.
At the end of day two your completed stone carving will be yours to take away and put in pride of place indoors or out.
You will require sturdy shoes and either a protective apron or old clothes.
Dust masks and eye protection will be supplied.
The cost of all materials is £40 payable directly to the tutor on the first day.
*Images of previous participants work.
Tea & Coffee available throughout the day for a small donation.
If a workshop you'd like to do is fully booked ring Box Office (01805 624624) to be added to the waiting list, you might be lucky! This also helps us ascertain the demand for particular workshops when programming.

PARKING
The closest long term car parks (and the cheapest) can be found at:
Fair View, Barnstaple EX31 1JR
Pilton Causeway, Barnstaple EX32 7AA
About John:
My name is John Piper ( yes the same name as the rather more famous JP so apologies if you have arrived here by mistake) I have been an artist for over 40 years, turning professional in 2015, I cover all genres of art including Watercolours, Acrylics, Oils, Pastels, Pencil as well as hand stone carving.

Based in Bideford "The Little White Town" in beautiful North Devon I tend to specialise in watercolours covering all styles and subjects.
I paint with and teach watercolours, Acrylics, Oils, Pastels and simple pencil sketching.
I am an accomplished stone sculptor and pride myself by using only hand tools and scrap stone to protect the environment.
I was "Artist in Residence" for the National Trust at Bucks Mills Cabin in August 2019, (Sadly Covid meant no 2020), July 2021 and again in August 2022. The residency here gives me a rare opportunity to concentrate on my art for arts sake with little distraction and influence from a commercial aspect.
I have many, many private commissions for a multitude of mediums and subject matter.

I have exhibited regularly in prestigious exhibitions such as the RHS open at Rosemoor, I also host courses for the Plough Arts centre at St Anne's chapel in Barnstaple and also workshops at RHS Rosemoor in both painting and Stone carving.
I offer courses and beginners lessons in watercolours and most other mediums and teach at group level for local art groups and social groups.

I also paint large scale indoor and outdoor murals and accept commissions for almost any size shape or position.
I attend various craft fairs throughout the area where you will find a large selection of my original artwork and prints as well as my unique range of over 100 greetings cards all from my own original work.

Feedback from previous Stone Carving Workshops:
This was a fabulous course, with an excellent teacher and venue team, in a beautiful location. That I turned up with my own design and was able to produce it is testament to the teaching, support and guidance given by John over the two days.
It was a brilliant workshop and the best two days I’ve had in a while. The staff were so accommodating and helpful, whilst the work shop was clean, tidy and very welcoming. I would 100% book another workshop here.
Fantastic two days, we were well looked after and spent many happy hours with very interesting tuition from John the course Instructor.
Very enjoyable two days. John was patient with us and led the course very well. Great introduction to stone carving and the skills required. Nice to take a finished piece home. The set-up downstairs was excellent.