April 7-11, 2026 (Tues to Sat)

Turning the Decorated Container

with Clay Foster

& Mark Gardner

$1,200

$1050 tuition + $150 material fee

Part of the MASW Higher Education Program

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Workshop Description

This class will explore numerous types of turned wood containers, expanding your creativity with boxes, bowls, platters, cups, and vases-and anything else you can think of to contain things. Along with the various techniques of making containers, students will learn simple and low-cost methods of embellishing and decorating their work. Carving, engraving, wire brushing, and burning are just some of the techniques that Clay and Mark will cover. Students will get to use materials such as milk paint, acrylics, rolled ink, and applied eggshell. Mark and Clay will guide students to create their own decorated containers. Mark is a master box and bowl maker, and Clay has been turning wood since trees were invented. They have over 70 years of combined experience in woodturning and art making. This is an intermediate skill-level class, so participants will be expected to know how to sharpen their own tools and use a bowl gouge. Everybody has something to learn, and everybody has something to teach. Come share with us, and bring some unfinished turnings from home that you don’t quite know what to do with, and together we will figure it out.

Key Points

  • Making lidded boxes and bowls
  • Milk paint and acrylic paints
  • Burning as a surface treatment
  • Carving and engraving patterns
  • Filling incised designs for contrast
  • Using real hen eggs as a decorative element
  • The basics of design
  • How to critique your own work

Meet the Craftsperson

Clay Foster

Meet the Craftsperson

Mark Gardner

Visit the Full Week Programs page for complete details on our weeklong workshops!

$1,200.00

Turning the Decorated Container with Clay Foster & Mark Gardner April 7-11, 2026 (Tues to Sat)

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