Stone, Soul, and the Secret World: A Master’s Workshop Curriculum
Dates: Specific 2026 Workshop Dates
Investment: £1500 per participant Includes: Master-level tuition, all premium materials (stone, marble, slate), use of professional tools and personal protective equipment (PPE), high-quality refreshments and artisanal lunches daily, local travel for workshop-related activities, and two optional evening visits/conversations with the Master. Excludes: Travel to and from the venue, accommodation, and evening meals (unless specified for evening events). Class Size: Strictly limited to 6 students for unparalleled individual attention.
Workshop Overview: Carving Beyond the Visible
This intensive 5-day immersion offers a rare opportunity to delve into the ancient craft of stone carving under the direct tutelage of a Master Mason whose lineage spans nearly a millennium. Beyond mastering tools and techniques, you will explore the profound philosophical, sensory, and metaphysical dimensions that define true court craftsmanship. This journey is designed to cultivate not just skill, but a holistic understanding and a refined sensibility essential to becoming a master craftsperson.
Day 1: The Foundation – Connecting with Stone and Self
- Morning: Welcome & The Master’s Lineage (9:30 AM – 1:00 PM)
- Introduction & Welcome: A warm reception, setting the tone for a transformative week.
- The Master’s Story: Stephen shares insights into his 40+ years as a Court Mason, detailing his unique lineage stretching back to 1080, and the Renaissance ideal of the “well-rounded man” that shaped his foundational training.
- Safety & Studio Orientation: Essential guidelines for a safe and productive environment.
- Introduction to Stone: Understanding the inherent characteristics of different stones (Portland, Bath limestone, various sandstones, Welsh/Cumbrian slate, Carrara/Kalamata marbles). Selecting your initial working material.
- Tool Immersion: Hands-on introduction to traditional hand carving tools.
- Lunch: “Bukë Kripë Dhe Zemër” – Bread, Salt, and Heart (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
- A curated selection of artisanal sandwiches, premium juices, and discerning snacks.
- Introduction to the profound tradition of communal eating, fostering camaraderie and setting the stage for deeper conversations.
- Afternoon: First Cuts & Proprioceptive Awareness (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Initial Practical Carving: Guided exercises to establish fundamental tool handling and direct engagement with the stone.
- The Unseen Sense of Proprioception: Focused exercises to heighten awareness of your body’s position and movement in space, crucial for precise chisel control.
- Kinaesthesia in Action: Feeling the subtle dance between your body, the mallet, and the stone.
Day 2: Form, Flow, and Inner Rhythm
- Morning: Advanced Techniques & The Rhythm of Existence (9:30 AM – 1:00 PM)
- Developing Form: Progressing to more complex shapes and understanding how to “read” the stone’s grain and resistance.
- Fóli – The Heartbeat of Existence: Exploration of this African concept and its universal application in understanding the innate rhythm of the material and the flow of creative work.
- Equilibrioception in Practice: Exercises to enhance your inner sense of balance and stability, crucial for maintaining control and fluidity in carving.
- Lunch: Cultivating Discerning Taste & Conversation (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
- Continuing the “Bukë Kripë Dhe Zemër” tradition, with a focus on refining the palate and engaging in stimulating dialogue, essential skills for a Court Mason.
- Afternoon: Flow State & Intuitive Carving (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Achieving Flow: Guided practice to enter a state of deep concentration where the boundary between artist and material blurs.
- Interoception & Anticipation: Tuning into your internal landscape – the subtle shifts in breath and heart rate that signal breakthroughs or challenges in the carving process.
Day 3: The Unseen Language of Creation
- Morning: Symbolic Geometry & Harmonic Proportion (9:30 AM – 1:00 PM)
- The Language of Form: Introduction to historical and cross-cultural significance of shapes, patterns, and proportions in stone carving.
- Applying the Golden Ratio: Understanding and applying principles of Harmonic Proportion to create forms that resonate with universal balance and beauty.
- Chronoception – The Sense of Time: Developing an intuitive understanding of when to pause, when to push, and when the moment is ripe for a particular stroke.
- Lunch: Art, Literature & Craft (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
- A shared meal fostering discussions on the interconnectedness of various artistic disciplines, reflecting the Renaissance ideal.
- Afternoon: Space, Volume, and Void (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Space/Proximity Sense: Understanding the unwritten laws of volume and void, and the relationship of your carved form to the empty space around it.
- Subconscious Electromagnetism (Discussion): An open inquiry into the subtle pull that guides intuition in artistic decisions.
- Optional Evening: “Conversations with the Master” (Evening)
- An informal gathering for deeper philosophical discussions, anecdotes, and Q&A with Stephen, fostering a true master-apprentice dynamic. Local travel provided.
Day 4: Imbuing Spirit and Pursuing Excellence
- Morning: The Metaphysics of the Craft (9:30 AM – 1:00 PM)
- The ‘Spirit’ of the Stone: Exploring the idea of listening to the stone, understanding its inherent characteristics not just physically but also spiritually.
- The Carver as Conduit: Examining how intention, focus, and emotional state influence the final piece, and the concept of manifesting an idea or energy.
- Lunch: Social Graces & Courtly Manners (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
- Continuing the tradition of shared meals as a structured journey in refining social graces and the art of conversation, indispensable for a court craftsperson.
- Afternoon: Arete – The Pursuit of Excellence (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Refinement & Finishing Techniques: Focusing on meticulous detail, precision, and the pursuit of perfection in every aspect of your carving.
- Baraka – Divine Imbuement: Discussing the concept of spiritual energy imbuing an object made with true intention, reverence, and soul.
Day 5: Legacy, Metaphysics, and the Enduring Song
- Morning: Gestalt, Music, and The Song (9:30 AM – 1:00 PM)
- Gestalt Laws in Practice: Understanding how these principles (Proximity, Similarity, Continuity, Closure, Figure/Ground) guide the eye and create harmony in your finished piece.
- Musical Theory in Form: Exploring the structural anatomy of sound and how it relates to creating tension, emotion, and cohesive form in sculpture.
- “The Song” – An Ancient Echo: A deep dive into the metaphor of “The Song” as a whispering current of generational wisdom, toil, and silent stories flowing through the craft.
- Lunch: Concluding Feast & Reflection (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
- A final communal meal, celebrating the journey and reflecting on the profound insights gained.
- Afternoon: Carving Your Legacy & Workshop Conclusion (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Final Touches: Completing your personal carving project, imbued with your newfound understanding.
- The Enduring Presence: Pondering why ancient carvings resonate across millennia and how your piece will hold the energy of its creation.
- Q&A and Certificates: A final opportunity for questions and presentation of certificates of completion.
- Guild Offering (Symbolic): Understanding the significance of the apprentice’s traditional offering to the Guild.
- Optional Evening: “Conversations with the Master” (Evening)
- A second opportunity for an informal gathering, further discussions, and networking with the Master and fellow participants. Local travel provided.
Post-Workshop Benefits:
- 20% Discount: All participants receive a 20% discount on future workshops.
- Members-Only Access: Exclusive access to members-only activities and content, fostering a continuing community of dedicated craftspeople.