Teaching skills in working with wood is something that local craftsman Jonathan Smith is passionate about. After 15 years of teaching workshops to people is all ages, he’s bringing this lost art to Lismore in a two day woodworking workshop at Lismore Art Space – beginning tomorrow.

“It’s a workshop where creative kids and adults can work together making things out of wood,” Jonathan said. “It’s part of a workshop series of sharing skills in traditional crafts, beginning with wood- and about making them accessible to a whole range of people.”

With two young boys of his own, Jonathan loves passing on his skills to them - and he would love to see other families join the workshops.

Lismore Art Space volunteer coordinator Susanna Carpi joins in the fun.

Make a box

“We’ll start by making a box and get an idea of where our skills are at as we learn a process of how to think about and plan a project,” he said.

“We learn how to use a range of hand and power tools as we measure and cut wood to length and get it all to fit together by drilling and screwing.

“Once you have those skills, you can make pretty much anything that you want - and we will run future workshops that will help you to do it.

“People might want to make shelving, benches or fix furniture – whatever you like.”

All tools and wood will be supplied at the workshop.

Jonathan has been working with wood for decades – and has a history of building structures and useful objects as part of his involvement with dark age reenactment groups.

“I’ve worked a lot with bush wood and creating structures,” he said. “I’ve also run woodworking workshops with mens’ sheds and with people with disabilities and for mental health outcomes,” he said.

Jonathan checks out the wood pile in the space.

Wood needed

If you have any wood at home that you don’t need or want, Jonathan is keen to use it for the workshops.

“I’m looking for any wood that can be recycled,” he said. “If anyone wants to clean up any wood around their houses, please let me know,” he said.

The workshop runs over two Thursdays beginning tomorrow, Thursday January 14 and again on January 21, from 9.30am until 2pm at Lismore Art Space, 1 Norris Street. It’s $170 for both workshops.

Children 5 - 12 require parental or carer supervision (no additional cost). Lunch is bring your own, with light refreshments and drinks available.

To book a spot, phone Jonathan on 0411 105 718. You can also visit Lismore Art Space on Facebook for information https://www.facebook.com/lismoreartspace