Instructor: Gene Shaw
Skill Level: Beginner
Cost: $75
This introductory course is designed for beginners with little to no prior experience. Students will learn proper workshop safety and foundational chisel sharpening techniques. Bring your own chisels or work with the chisels on site.
Each participant will complete at least one sharpened chisel, gaining practical experience in long term tool conditioning. Along the way, students will be introduced to the precision of sharpening using low speed sharpening wheels.
By the end of the course, students will have completed at least one chisel and leave with the foundational skills and confidence to hone tools to pursue further carving projects or coursework.
Appropriate for students aged 16+. Anyone 16-17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tuition assistance available. If needed, please email Info@LancasterWorkshop.com.
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Workshop safety and best practices
Introduction to sharpening wheel and it’s uses
Sharpening techniques
Basic honing and shaping methods
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Gene Shaw moved to Lancaster, PA, in 1972 after receiving a Fine Arts Certificate from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Philadelphia College of Art. While at PAFA, he received numerous awards, prizes, and grants, including the J. Henry Scheidt European Traveling Scholarship (1971), the Wilson Woodrow Graphics prize (1969, 1970, 1971), and the Klein grant (1969, 1970).
Once in Lancaster, he combined his fine art/design training and his love of woodworking, a skill he learned from his father, to establish The Wooden Plane, a custom cabinetry and home-restoration business. He and his wife built a new home in the city of Lancaster which was featured in the 25th anniversary “Houses” issue of Fine Home Building Magazine in 2006. The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County (HPTLC) awarded him the C. Emlen Urban award twice; in 1989, for preservation leadership and, in 2003, for new home construction in an historic district.
To encourage young people from his hometown high school in Grundy Center, Iowa, to pursue careers in art, he established the Gene A. Shaw Art Travel Fund through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. He also funds an annual fine art scholarship at the school.
Since 2005, he has traveled to Maine annually to attend the Woodenboat School in Brooklin, ME. While at school, he has made numerous sketches which are the basis for the woodcuts he creates upon his return to Lancaster, PA.
He has exhibited his work at the Benjamin Mangel Gallery in Bala Cynwyd, PA, Gallery Doshi in Harrisburg, PA, Chestnut House Gallery, Lancaster Country Day, and Lancaster Art Walk, all in Lancaster, PA
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We know life happens! If you need to cancel or reschedule your workshop, here’s how it works:
More than 7 days before class → Full refund (minus a 10% admin fee) or a 100% credit toward another workshop (good for 6 months).
4–7 days before class → No refund, but you’ll receive a workshop credit (good for 6 months).
3 days or less before class → Sorry, no refunds or credits.
No-shows → Not eligible for refund or credit.
If we cancel a workshop → You’ll get a full refund or a 100% workshop credit — your choice.
*Special note: If you’re sick or have an emergency, please reach out at least 48 hours before class. We’ll do our best to offer a credit or transfer.
To cancel or request a change, email us at TheSHAWorkshop@gmail.com or call 717-478-4199.