Five Day Carving Workshop with Mary May in Brisbane
 
Mary May Australia Tour, assisted by Olivia O'Connor
Moday to Friday, August 18 to 22, 2025
9.00am – 5.00pm daily
Venue to be confirmed
 
If you want to be a woodcarver, and you want to build your professional carving skills promptly bypassing years of trial and error, then this 5 Day Workshop with American woodcarver Mary May is for you.
 
About Mary May’s Carving Workshop
 
Teaching yourself to wood carve is great yet you may find your progress slow, and you will miss the subtle technical and artistic nuances that great craftspeople bear. The best way to develop your craft is to spend time working alongside a master.
 
In this 5 Day workshop, Mary May assisted by Olivia O’Connor, will guide you to develop and master an ensemble of traditional woodcarving techniques. To start Mary will review the safe use of long-handled woodcarving gouges and how to sharpen them to a razor-sharp edge quickly and repeatedly. Then throughout the week, Mary will walk you through a series of carving projects step-by-step with each project building different and increasingly advanced skills. This series of projects starts with mastering carving in the correct grain direction, then quickly moves on to include a variety of different floral designs and a seashell. If time permits, your final project will be one of your own design.
 
If you are an experienced carver, this workshop is also offered as an "open studio" where you can work on your individual projects with Mary and Olivia guiding you through the more complex challenges. Mary's focus will be on those working through the set projects, however as we have two exceptional carvers leading the workshop, you are guaranteed to receive all the support you will need. 
 
This 5 Day carving workshop presented by Mary May and Olivia O’Connor is your unique opportunity to grow your carving skills in a friendly and supportive group environment. Only 12 places available, book your spot today.
 
Tools & Materials
 
Tools will be supplied for this workshop, however for the best experience and so you do not have to wait around to share equipment, we strongly recommend you bring your own set of long handled gouges (fishtails preferred) including:
 
6mm v-chisel
#3, 6mm
#3, 14mm
#5, 14mm
#7, 6mm
#7, 14mm
 
The gouges listed use the Pfeil system of classification, substitutes from our manufacturers are no problem. If you don't have the full set don't stress, additional tools will be available. If you have questions email John at hello@wooddustaustralia.com.au for more information.
 
When you arrive at the studios your tools should be sharp and ready to go. There will be a sharpening station onsite so you can maintain your equipment during the week. Participants should wear sturdy clothes and covered shoes suitable for woodworking. All materials required for the workshop are included.
 
Meals 
 
All meals including lunch, morning and afternoon tea are provided each day of the workshop. The individual dietary needs of participants will be considered.
 
Who is Mary May
 
Mary May is an American professional woodcarver with over 30 years’ experience. Mary has studied the European style of traditional woodcarving with a variety of master carvers. During her career Mary has specialised in the classical techniques focusing on decorative furniture and architectural details. 
 
Mary teaches at a variety of woodworking schools in the US and Europe. Her online woodcarving school www.marymaycarving.com has been operating for 13 years and features over 300 video lessons. Mary has also written her first book, Carving the Acanthus Leaf, available through Lost Art Press. Her driving passion is to create beautiful woodcarvings and to keep the art of traditional woodcarving alive and well through teaching others the craft.
 
Who is Olivia O’Connor
 
Olivia O’Connor is a woodcarver and printmaker whose work reflects her search for home and belonging within the Australian landscape. With a background in prop making and scenic artistry, Olivia’s journey led to a career as a rocking horse maker and restoration expert, developing skills vital in her artistic practice.

Olivia's dedication to her practice has earned such recognition as, first place in the Neerim Bower Small Sculpture Prize, and finalist placements in the Toorak Sculpture Prize, Yering Sculpture Prize, and East Gippsland Art Gallery Works on Paper Prize. Olivia is proud to have work in public and private collections. She holds fellowships from the International Specialised Skills Institute and Artisans Guild of Australia.
 
Who is this workshop for?
 
This workshop is for anyone who is ready to get serious about their woodcarving. Those who want to build professional carving skills promptly bypassing years of trial and error. And those who want to take their work to a new level. With the group you will explore the materials, tools, and techniques of carving guided by two masters of the craft. You will also meet like-minded creative people and no doubt you will have some fun. 
 
Terms & Conditions
 
Terms & Conditions apply when purchasing a ticket to attend this five-day woodworking workshop. Visit the WOOD DUST Terms & Conditions located in the website footer to learn more. If you have any questions regarding this workshop email John Madden at hello@wooddustaustralia.com.au for more information.
 
Tickets on Sale
 
If you want a comprehensive woodcarving learning experience, then this workshop is for you. Tickets are on sale now, only twelve places available so reserve your bench space today.