Rockhampton Lapidary Club Inc – Carving Workshops (2018-2019)

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About the Project

Carving Course and Training Course in the art of judging carving. Workshop 1 allowed experienced carvers of bone, shell or stone to submit examples of their work to the tutor prior to the commencement of the course. Student work was then assessed using standard criteria and advice was given as to how improvements could be made. These students then studied other examples of carving in various mediums to gain improved knowledge and technique. 

Following this, students then went on to complete written examinations designed to assess their ability to be certified as accredited judges of this art under the Australian Federation of Lapidary and Allied Crafts Associations (AFLACA) guidelines.

Workshop 2 introduced students to the art of carving bone, shell or stone so that they can increase and broaden their range of lapidary skills and be encouraged to display their work for the benefit of other members and the general public.

When and Where 

The two carving workshops took place on the 23rd and 28th of April 2019.

Facts, Figures and Statistics

Number of participants:

 7

Number of artists/cultural workers employed:

 1

Number of volunteers engaged:

 2

Percentage of survey respondents answering 'good' or 'excellent' to the question:
 Overall, how would you rate this activity?
(response options - excellent, good, average, poor, very poor)

 100% (total of 7 respondents)
 
RADF Funding

$1,750 

Outcomes Identified by Grant Recipient/s
  1. We now have a provisional Carving judge available for our local gem shows
  2. A number of club members have gained basic carving skills
  3. We have set up a good working relationship with the tutor
Reflections and Learnings
  1. We were able to generate interest from club members, including one Junior member, and associated local Central Queensland clubs in an activity that has not been available previously. We have more knowledge of the process and facilities required to pursue this aspect of lapidary at the clubrooms. The highly qualified tutor was both very knowledgeable and willing to impart her skills. She conducts carving courses on a regular basis and has helped many clubs throughout Australia. We are now able to offer Carving sections into our annual Rockhampton GemExpo competition to give both our new judge and our club members more experience, and for the general public to see carvings at the show that we haven't been able to offer before.
  2. Timing the course directly after the labour intensive GEMBOREE event may have affected the number of people who were able to participate. While this timing worked better for the tutor further courses may be better timed to get more participation.
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