While this year has brought a lot of suffering and uncertainty, there have been some bright spots. At the top of that list: I was asked for the first time to speak at Colonial Williamsburg’s “Working Wood in the 18th Century” conference, which runs from Jan. 14-17, 2021.
The event is, of course, virtual this year because of the pandemic. But it won’t be like a thrown-together Zoom meeting with your co-workers.
I’ll be on-site in Williamsburg with the other presenters putting together a program that blends live woodworking with pre-filmed segments that you can watch over and over on your devices. The production values will be excellent – this is Williamsburg after all.
The topic of the conference this year is “Back to Work: Functional Furniture for Home and Shop.”
I’ll be presenting on two topics: Woodworking with low Roman-style workbenches and staked shop furniture. My plan is to build a Sheffield-style work stool (shown above) during the conference. And do it on a Roman bench.
In addition to the impressive cabinetmakers and joiners from Williamsburg, Bob Van Dyke and Mike Mascelli will be demonstrating the construction of a worktable for needlecraft. There will be lots of roundtable discussions and insights into how Black woodworkers, women and people suffering enslavement contributed to the material culture of the day. Here is the impressive agenda.
Oh, one more thing. I have been asked to give the keynote for the “banquet.” (It’s BYOMeat this year, and clothing is optional.) My presentation is going to be a film I’ve been working on for a couple months about woodworking in an inner-city shop.
Why would you do that? Because it will make you a better designer and builder. While many of us find inspiration in nature, being surrounded by excellent architecture (new and old) can change your woodworking life. It has changed mine.
I hope you can join us. Registration information is here.
— Christopher Schwarz
Will the event be streamed live or available to watch later?
The CW site says: “All sessions will be streamed using the Conference App, and will be available for viewing through the end of January.”
That looks most interesting and, given the virtual nature of thing, something that fort once will be just as available over here.
I’ll have a closer look at and think about how the time difference (CET is 6 hours ahead of EST) would play out, but as it’s (mainly) over a weekend, staying up a bit late of a couple of evenings shouldn’t be too dramatic either.
Mattias
Up signed it is I am.
Mattias
“Clothing optional” conjures up imaginings of naked woodworking, along with “bring your own meat”. I suppose that naked woodworking it only marginally less hazardous than naked barbecuing.
These are excellent conferences, and I’m looking forward to this year’s event.
I don’t know why, but it just dawned on me — you, sir, are a period furniture maker who doesn’t make period furniture. But you’ll come around.
I was hoping the world would come around to me….
The wheel never stops turning. It’s most noticeable to people on the rim.
Just like on the toilet….
Why is such things as qualitly not more. Pronoused now more than evef. You buy adresser made ofmake belive woodunless you anchour it to the wall you taking a chanch of having it fall on you or someoneelese.
Looks interesting. I’m in.
This virtual conference looks very interesting… I miss my days of working in the crafts department at Williamsburg back in the ’80s. Sadly, almost all my co-workers from back then have retired, retired and died, or otherwise left CW. This will provide a nice way to catch up. Not the same as having lunch with them or having the wonderful academic discussions in the back rooms but still a great way to catch up.
Saturday looks like it will be a wild day. The first activity of the day “Coffee with a Carpenter or Harpsichord Maker” has a description that reads “An optional opportunity for an informal virtual discussion over cocktails with staff members about their work! Limited Capacity available during registration.” Cocktails for breakfast! Hope they have beer for Chris!
If you don’t start drinking in the morning, then it’s impossible to drink all day.
As we used to say in my student orchestra: Breakfast is the most important beer of the day!
I registered. Looks like a great conference, looking forward to it. Thanks!
I have been registered since day one and look forward to your contribution! There is nothing like being present in Colonial Williamsburg for these conferences, there is real value in being able to re-view presentations. Maybe that can become a benefit for attendees even after in-person conferences can resume.
I’m new at woodworking. I have already registered. It will be my first time attending any type of woodworking meeting/conference. I’m really looking forward to it!
Living in the country is not always bliss. Our suburban ex-pat neighbors must have every gas powered lawn and garden device ever made. The noise is unbearable. Tractor with reverse beeper, chain saws, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, etc. I would rather listen to the gentle hum of city life than be subjected to this noise. Scares away wildlife too.
Congratulations!
Using the most advanced audio/video equipment of the 18th century, no doubt! 😉
Where do I find more information on the workstool?