Carving at Haliburton: A Week of Dust, Discovery, and Deep Work

This past week at the Haliburton School of Art + Design was one I won’t soon forget. As a first-time instructor at HSAD through Fleming College, I arrived with a plan, a truckload of tools, and a deep love for this craft — but nothing could have prepared me for how much I would learn from the group I was lucky enough to teach.

We started the week from square one. Most of the students had never touched a stone with the intent to sculpt it, let alone used tools like die grinders, pneumatic chisels, or oscillating sanders. But when I laid the stones out — and with the help of a generous local supplier who brought more — the class dove in headfirst. There was no hesitation, only curiosity and a hunger to discover what was hidden inside each block.

Our days were full. We covered everything from sketching and plastercine (oil-based clay) modeling to hands-on work with angle grinders, sanders, riddlers, rifflers, and every tool in the modern stone carver’s arsenal. It was intense. Loud. Dusty. Hot. (Very hot — with a few booming thunderstorms thrown in for good measure.)

But under the shelter of the tent and the camaraderie of the group, no one lost steam.

What stood out most wasn’t the technical growth (though that was impressive) — it was the personal journey each student took. The subject matter for each sculpture came from within. I didn’t assign themes or concepts. Instead, I acted as a guide — helping troubleshoot tool techniques, pacing the flow of each day, and offering structure where needed. The work, however, was entirely theirs.

Some finished pieces. Some got close. Some brought home extra stone to keep going. All of them left with more than what they came with — not just in terms of skill, but in confidence and expression. That’s what this course was truly about.

And as for me — I left with a full heart, a few sore muscles, and even more appreciation for the Haliburton community. The faculty and staff at the college were endlessly helpful, making the logistics smooth for a first-timer like myself. I found a sense of belonging in quiet chats with fellow instructors and in watching students bond over shared frustrations and breakthroughs.

It reminded me why I carve. Why I teach. Why this space — tucked in the trees, buzzing with deer and conversation — is one I’ll keep returning to. (Side note: I did in fact walk beside a deer that was just 7 feet away. I now have a strange dream of petting one. Maybe even riding one. One day :)

Until next time, Haliburton. I hope to return again — as a teacher, as an artist, and maybe even as a deer whisperer.

If you’re curious about the process, check out the short video https://youtu.be/bcZHjPNr-yA?si=uCXUMT_Dlp3gKmK8 and visit www.whiteravensculptures.com or https://flemingcollege.ca/school/haliburton-school-of-art-and-design/course-calendar? for next year’s course details and updates.