Introduction to Woodworking: Bandsaw Boxes with Karen Ernst

Presented by: Contemporary Craft
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Contemporary Craft – Timmons Building, Wood Studio, 5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Tuition: $120 + $25 materials fee
Refund Policy: Refunds available up to 7 days before event ($25 cancellation fee applies)

About the Workshop:

Whether you’re brand new to woodworking or have some experience, bandsaw boxes are a fun way to explore shape, texture, and color. Learn how to create two lidded boxes, each from a single block of wood, in this one‑day workshop.

What You’ll Learn:

• Approaches to constructing bandsaw boxes (with examples)

• Preparing wood and planning cuts on the bandsaw

• Cutting each block to create box “parts” and gluing them back together

• Shaping and embellishing outer surfaces with rasps, files, carving gouges, spokeshave, and wood burner

• Using milk paint and other finishing options to add color

All materials are provided.

About the Instructor:

Karen Ernst is a Professor in the Art Department at PennWest University Edinboro, where she has taught woodworking and furniture design since 2004. She holds an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BA in Studio Art from SUNY Geneseo. Her work has been exhibited across the US and is included in many private collections. In 2023, she was accepted as a Roycroft Artisan. She is currently Ex‑Officio President of the Board of Trustees of The Furniture Society.

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