Hunter Stone Carving Seminar

Our Story and About the Event

Article from "The Daily Mail" on July 10th 2013 *PLEASE NOTE THAT DATES AND TIMES CHANGE FROM YEAR TO YEAR See the main page for details on current year dates and times* "Rock of ages: Stone carving class returns" By Jim Planck Columbia-Greene Media HUNTER — To most people, the idea of sculpting or carving in stone perhaps seems like an insurmountable challenge, but stone carving instructor Kevin Vanhentenryck, of Westkill, will tell you that not only can you do it, but you’ll enjoy it. Vanhentenryck know of what he speaks, as every year for the past five years he has been showing folks how to do stone carvings at a little rock park next to the Hunter Town Hall. The town, in fact, is one of the sponsors for the free classes, along with the Village of Tannersville, with primary funding coming from the Greene County Council on the Arts. Several businesses and quarries, both local and distant, also help out with donations of equipment and supplies, or with reduced prices on safety equipment. In short, the annual stone carving seminar has been a marked success, and it is about to start its 2013 session very soon, on July 29, and will run through Aug. 10. “It’s free, and there is no talent or artistic ability required,” Vanhentenryck said Thursday. “We have a dozen blocks of stone, ranging in size from two to twelve tons.” “Every year it gets bigger and better,” he said. “Last year we had 76 people, and it’s been growing, so I’m hoping we’ll reach one hundred this year.” “We always have a good participation from previous years,” he said, “and there are a few that have come back every year.” Vanhentenryck said the most important thing to remember is that there is no set time requirement or duration for anyone — they can come every day for both weeks, or just come one day for a couple hours — whatever a person wants. “They can come for five minutes, an hour, an afternoon, or just stop by and say hi,” he said. “We love to have visitors to the site.” Vanhentenryck did note, however, that peak participation times are during the middle of the day, so to ensure getting a carving tool or an airline, morning or afternoons can work well. “Also, this year, for the first time, I have an assistant instructor, Jon Wilt,” he said. “He has a couple carvings at the sculpture park already.” Vanhentenryck said the hours are Monday-Saturday, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and to bring your own lunch and personal safety equipment, which he said is eye protection and a dust mask, and that many wear ear baffles and work gloves as well. “Last year, we got a large 12-ton block of bluestone,” Vanhentenryck said. It will be for a piece he is carving called, “Spirit of the Mountains,” which he said is “a classical female allegory, like the Statue of Liberty.” Vanhentenryck said she will be holding an urn on her left shoulder, from which water goes into Kaaterskill Falls, which will be carved into her garment. “In her right arm she cradles the Infant to the Future,” he said, adding that a bear will also be on one side of her, a mountain lion on the other, and a baby deer in front of her, with all sorts of Catskill Mountain flora and fauna also represented. “So I’ll be carving on that the week before the classes,” he said. The sculpture mini-park is adjacent to the Hunter Town Hall, on Route 23A, immediately east of Tannersville. http://www.registerstar.com/the_daily_mail/news/article_bde09420-f0ff-11e2-ab11-0019bb2963f4.html

This event is FREE with training provided by professional stone sculptor Kevin VanHentenryk. Come for an afternoon, come every day, it's the experience of a lifetime no matter how long you are with us. Children, elders, and all ages in between. NO ART EXPERIENCE OF ANY KIND REQUIRED! Big or small, you can choose a portable stone to bring home or carve on the permanent boulders here on site. VERY easy to find, our location is right next to Hunter Town Hall 5742 NY-23A Tannersville, NY - you'll see the big boulders, tents, and equipment! Parking is simple, it's right there at the town hall. As always, carving tools are provided but please bring your own protective items. ***There are only TWO required item, safety glasses and a dust mask!*** There's also a few other recommendations here that may be helpful: - Safety glasses are a definite, but they do not have to be expensive. You can get a cheap pair at any hardware store for less than $5 - The dust mask is a big deal. Like the safety glasses, they are also super inexpensive, but make sure you get one specifically called a "dust mask". Those free masks at the doctor's office aren't going to cut it, you really don't want rock powder floating around in your lungs. If you are planning on multiple days it wouldn't hurt to have a couple extra. - Earplugs are recommended, but not required. There are pneumatic drills here and giant generators and it can be loud. Earbuds to listen to tunes are also great while you work. - Clothes you can get a little dirty - dust happens! - Not a terrible idea to bring a seat of some kind, we have a few but they can go quick! Remember any fabric may get dusty. - Sunblock. There are beautiful trees beside us, and there is tent space, but much of our carving workspace is out in the open sky. - If there is light rain we usually can continue outside if you want, but we also have tent space for serious rain and those who don't want to get damp. Anything you don't remember to bring can be bought at stores in town, but in the interests maximizing your time try to get what you think you might need in advance. If you have any questions or comments, please send a message here and we'll try to get back to you asap!!!