Registration for 2021 classes at our storefront opens at 10 a.m. (Eastern) tomorrow, May 17. We have only a few classes scheduled as we are trying to ease back into the new world. As you can imagine, a lot has changed both in Covington and with our business.
Some of our favorite restaurants have closed, but new ones have opened. We’re working on some new kitchen and bathroom facilities for visitors. And Brendan Gaffney has left us for Upstate New York.
One of the biggest changes has been the strange new barrier that has emerged between Ohio and Kentucky because of bridge construction. The old Roebling Suspension Bridge is closed entirely for repairs. The main bridge, the Brent Spence, is being fixed and repainted, so getting across the river is more difficult than ever because of continual lane closures and the giant condom that has enveloped the structure. As I write this, even our pedestrian bridge across the Ohio River is closed because a large stone fell from one of its piers.
It’s enough to make you consider taking the Anderson Ferry. Or swim.
So if you do plan to take a class, I recommend you stay on the Kentucky side of the border (no, you don’t need a passport, just bring a jug of corn liquor). There are lots of great hotels and Airbnbs in Covington that are walking distance from the storefront.
Here are the three classes we’re offering this year:
July 30-31: Build a Cricket Table with Derek Jones
Aug. 2-6: Build an “Anarchist’s Tool Chest” with Megan Fitzpatrick
Nov. 8-12: Make a Carved Oak Box with Peter Follansbee
Dec. 3-5: Build a Dutch Tool Chest with Megan Fitzpatrick
We hope to offer a few more classes before the end of 2021, but we are waiting to see if instructors will be able to travel. And if students are willing to sign up.
I’m not going to teach here or anywhere – at least for now. One of the after-effects of the pandemic has been how our publishing business has grown (almost four-fold). Keeping Lost Art Press running smoothly is more than a full-time job for me and John.
Like it or not, however, I’ll still be helping the instructors out during the classes. That means making sure there’s enough toilet paper, helping students who need assistance and occasionally brandishing the “encouragement whip” when the dovetailing slows down too much.
If you haven’t taken a class here, it’s important to remember that we are not a school. We don’t have an ice cream machine or a masseuse. But we do offer high-quality instruction, tiny classes with only six students, excellent workbenches and a walkable historic neighborhood to explore.
Plus Bean, the three-legged shop cat.
So if you are ready to travel and to attempt talking to strangers, I hope you’ll consider joining us. All we ask is that you be vaccinated against COVID-19. You can read more about that decision here.
— Christopher Schwarz
you might want to consider keeping registration open for a full two days and then picking participants via a lottery. Im involved with other organizations which are facing this same challenge of covid-era limited classes and outsized demand and the lottery system has worked well and made participation possible for folks who don’t have the flexibility to constantly hit page refresh just before registration opens. 🙂
Hm. It is very tempting, to say the least! And I’ll get my second shot next month. Too bad I have planned all my leave this year already.
Now if there was a kitchen building class I would totally come over… as it stands I have to use Kitchen Think instead. Brilliant book, great print quality and typesetting. As expected from LAP (again, thanks)
I’d sign up for all 4 if I could get the time off, knew I’d have my shots, and was free to travel. A very fortunate opportunity for those that can make it. Enjoy. Maybe the next one.
We aren’t going anywhere. So it will work out some day!
I just assumed that whomever wasn’t teaching the class would be the designated masseuse.
My massages are too sensual for a classroom environment.
Massage and shou sugi ban simultaneously. Two birds, one stone.
That brings new meaning to “show me your clock”
Where has Brendan Gaffney moved upstate? The Western New York Upstate Troubadours of the Ikea Apocalypse welcome you!
Well that was anti-climactic. Tickets sold out in less than 3 seconds
That long? Usually has to be measured by something from CERN. =D
Well I sat here and repeatedly clicked on Register for the two minutes leading up to opening (with appropriate delays) and I missed it. DTC couldn’t have possibly filled up in less than two seconds. Please make me the first on the waiting list. Thanks.
I also clicked as the number went to 0, I think a bunch of us had the same idea and it was decided in milliseconds. If there are 6 slots and 20 people doing what we did it’s perfectly believable that it was decided in milliseconds and travel time of the Internet packets.
The trick on signing up for the waitlist appears to be that you have to go back a step instead of clicking Next. Couldn’t do it at the time but could just now coming in and getting stopped a screen earlier.
I’m with HJW, I had my class last year cancelled due to COVID and hit my register button at 10:09 this morning and was not able to get in. Can’t be angry just frustrated, you guys are great and I understand the pent up demand. Another painful pandemic predicament.
What!!! No Ice Cream machine, how antideluvian can you be?
All that time over many weeks at exactly 8 AM during the last year trying to get campsites online at national parks finally paid off. This is the first time I’ll be able to take a legitimate woodworking course. So jazzed. Looking forward to enjoying all the eateries and places in Covington Chris has been sharing about all these years. Plus, it’s just the motivation I need to do a whole lot more carving this summer so I can make the most of this rarest of opportunities.
I agree some kind of lottery system might help mix it up occasionally, but it’s an everpresent issue with so little opportunities out there.