Many people are familiar with bentwood boxes, but not necessarily bentwood bowls. In this course, students will gain experience through practice and repetition, creating two bentwood bowls. You will be exposed to traditional Tlingit tools, their use, sharpening, and maintenance. While more experienced carvers may complete two bowls, carving is a personal journey, and bending the corners can result in cracks or complete breaks. We will do our best to make sure everyone is successful. Think of this as your first steps in a lifelong pursuit. Starting with Western Red Cedar boards, we’ll first learn how to create the kerf cuts that create the space that allows the corners to be bent. The boards will next need to be soaked overnight to soften the wood and limber it up for bending. Next, we will steam the whole boards and prepare for bending the whole perimeter at the same time. The bend is the exciting moment. With some time and work already invested in the kerfs, students will have two opportunities for successful bowls. After some drying time, the bottom will be installed, completing the bowl form. James will also introduce some formline design, and each student will follow along with a unique design made for this class. If time allows, students may begin sketching and transferring the design onto their finished bowls. From James: “Please understand that to do proper work, you need patience. Do not expect to have a completed finished piece by the end of the class; this is not realistic. I urge all students to take the bowls home and keep working on them. The finished work you put in is what makes a piece go from just good to extraordinary.” Required Tools: Personal protective equipment Pencil Paper or notepad Close-toed shoes Straight knife Crooked knives H H1 Prerequisites: It is beneficial to have a good comprehension of using crooked knives and careful attention to detail.