Sat 12 & Sun 13 July, 2025

Fees: $490.30

Wax is a wonderful medium and has many unique properties that make it ideal for sculpting. Wax can be used as a liquid, as a paste, warm (like plasticine), or cold (carvable). During this workshop students will be shown various techniques to utilize these variable states of the medium. Students will be shown how to construct a wax armature, explore modelling techniques and the use of tools for smoothing and texturing. Students will have the opportunity (at an additional cost*) to have their finished wax sculptures cast in bronze by Michael, using the lost wax casting process.

*Bronze casting will be provided at a significant discount to students who wish to cast their work. However prices will need to be looked at on a case by case basis after the workshop concludes as it is impossible to predict the size and complexity of individual artworks before they are made.

About Michael:
Michael has worked as a professional artist since 2001, specialising in figurative and abstract bronze and stainless steel sculpture. The notion of beauty is a strong component of Michael’s contemporary art practice and each artwork strives to develop the aesthetic perfection of line and form within the context of the human experience. Over the years Michael has produced several private and public commissions and his sculptures can be seen in the film Mao’s Last Dancer (2008)

Currently Michael is on a path to explore the notion of the Sublime through the lens of sculpture with works like ‘Hope’, ‘Creation of Man’, and ‘Up, Up & Away’.

This workshop is now fully booked. Please email admin@tbsss.org.au, if you would like to be added to the waitlist.

Sat 19 & Sun 20 July, 2025

Fees: see below for details

A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of alabaster carving and learn from popular guest teacher Carol Crawford.

Carol is a specialist alabaster sculptor who interprets the raw stone to create soft, interlocking organic forms. Carol will be assisted by artist Elena Murgia, who is a specialist stone carver. For this weekend course Carol and Elena will guide you on the use of different hand tools, finishing/ polishing techniques, and how to realise a beautiful soft abstracted form out of the rough stone you have chosen.

Alabaster is a very fine, stable, sometimes translucent stone that can be easily carved. For this workshop you will be working with beautiful white alabaster (translucent and opaque) shipped all the way from Italy.

This is a workshop not to be missed! Places are strictly limited and early bookings are encouraged for this popular course.

* Please note that this course will give participants a good foundation to create a unique alabaster sculpture. As each person works at an individual pace, some people may find they need a bit more time to complete their sculpture and this can be done by booking in for some casual workshop classes during term time at TBSSS.

Fees: there are two price options. You can choose either:
– $540.30, which includes workshop fees and one piece of stone up to 2kg
– $490.30, includes workshop fee only and you can purchase any size stone at a special rate of $35 per kilo (normal price is $45 per kg).

Each participant will be required to start a new sculpture for this special workshop to experience Carol’s unique interpretation.

Visit Carol’s website: www.carolcrawfordsculpture.net or her instagram account _carolcrawford_ .

This workshop is now fully booked. Please email admin@tbsss.org.au, if you would like to be added to the waitlist.

Mondays: 21 July – 18 August (5 weeks)
6pm – 9pm

$330.30 (Earlybird)
$365.30 (General)

This brief course will help students undertake the basic techniques of carving. Learn how to remove step by step the material that is surrounding a sculpture, starting from unveiling the basic volumes connected together in harmonious composition and the beginnings of the finishing process where time permits.

Carving is a magical process that pursues the soothing of the soul and detaches ourselves from the modern chaotic life. It’s a way to connect to nature and it informs a sense of space, training the eye and the mind to see in depth!

Alabaster stone will be available to purchase at an additional cost to the course fee. Elena will have a good selection of stones to choose from which are best suited for this 5 week course.

Students are also welcome to bring work in progress stone sculptures, including marble works you may be currently working on. Elena can guide you in the next steps of your stone carvings.

Limited places.

*Early bird discount ends midnight 30 June.

Tuesdays: 22 July – 19 August (5 weeks)
10am – 2pm

This brief course will help students undertake the basic techniques of carving. Learn how to remove step by step the material that is surrounding a sculpture, starting from unveiling the basic volumes connected together in harmonious composition and the beginnings of the finishing process where time permits.

Carving is a magical process that pursues the soothing of the soul and detaches ourselves from the modern chaotic life. It’s a way to connect to nature and it informs a sense of space, training the eye and the mind to see in depth!

Alabaster stone will be available to purchase at an additional cost to the course fee. Elena will have a good selection of stones to choose from which are best suited for this 5 week course.

Students are also welcome to bring work in progress stone sculptures, including marble works you may be currently working on. Elena can guide you in the next steps of your stone carvings.

Limited places.

*Early bird discount ends midnight 30 June.