“Wood is a noble, living material; when working with it, we must bear this in mind, add history to it and create something meaningful.”

It is from this perspective that Kerstin Thomas and Renato Costa e Silva teach the Wood Sculpture Course, which takes place at the School of Arts and Crafts in the Schist Village of Cerdeira. Their artistic practice, deeply connected to the place where they live and work, is inspired by the power of the landscape, the presence of nature, the silence that invites reflection, and the history of the community that inhabits this territory.

With an approach that combines the figurative and the abstract, Kerstin often works with wood in dialogue with other materials with history — such as iron and reused wood — creating works where the material has its own voice. Wood, warm, organic and challenging, is understood here as a living material that demands respect, technique and sensitivity. From a sustainable perspective, the artist favours wood from fallen trees or sawmill waste.

Over six days, participants will learn how to carve wood using hand tools such as mallets and chisels, as well as chainsaws and power tools, exploring different ways of carving and structuring the piece. Each participant will develop their own project, with close supervision from the trainers, going through the entire process: concept, planning, choice of wood and selection of the appropriate tools for each stage.

Those who already have an idea or project in mind can discuss it with the team in advance, ensuring even more personalised support.

All information and registration at bookinxisto.com.