Restoration of Antique Furniture, Frames & Sculptures

During this course you will be guided through the restoration of your own piece of furniture, frame or wooden artefact in need of repairs. Enrolment can be done at any time and no previous experience is required. There are two courses on Saturdays: morning sessions from 10am to 1pm and afternoons from 3 to 6pm during the months of February, March, April, May, June, September, October and November. During the first lesson you will, with the aid of the tutors, analyse and assess the condition of the piece you brought, before drawing up an action plan for the work required to restore it. You will then gain hands-on experience of all the necessary techniques to complete the restoration of your item, as well as acquiring basic knowledge on the use of appropriate tools and materials. All the tools required from generic ones like pliers, screwdrivers, Stanley knives, saws, hammers, drills, etc., to specialists ones like carving chisels, scrapers, rasps, planers, clamps, etc. are provided free of charge for use during course times; materials required for cleaning, fillings, polishing and finishing can be bought on the basis of the tutors advice. You will enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the results of your work on the finished object; you will also develop a deeper understanding of the theory and practice of conservation as they apply to wooden artefacts, while developing practical skills through working on the various stages of your restoration project. As well as providing you with specific assistance on your own project, the tutors will use your project and those of other participants to illustrate relevant aspects of the theory and practice of restoration, to maximise the learning and enjoyment you can expect to gain from the course.