By the end of this two-day course, you should be taking home your very own garden totem pole.

Among the native Americans of the northwest coast of the United States and Canada, the totem pole had a function similar to that of the heraldic emblem in medieval Europe. The animals, spirits and symbolic forms carved into its length signified the identity of a family or tribe or served as a pictorial account of their history.

Now, in our woodland workshop below the green hills of Dorset, you can have the opportunity to spend two days making your very own totem pole.

The course covers preparing the wood for carving, drawing up simple patterns and not too ambitious symbol designs and then carving them into your personal totem pole. You will be guided through the techniques of cutting the shapes you require and you'll be shown how to use the drawknife and a basic selection of carving gauges.

The two days are intended to be creative and fun and whether you decide to make a simple spiral shape, carve an image from your dreams or a grotesque caricature of yourself, you will come away with an insight into 3D carving and a totem pole which could become a welcoming gesture to the visitor or a garden feature to inspire discussion.

This course is led by Karen Hansen (supported by Guy). Karen has extensive carving experience and expertise through her work with sculptural construction and the conservation of historic carving.

Essential Information:

The course is for adults only, and costs £250.00 + VAT (£287.50) per person, including materials and delicious lunches, tea and coffee, biscuits and cake. Tools are also supplied for your use during the course within this price.

The days run from 9.00 (tea and coffee) for a 9.30 start and finish at approximately 5.00pm. As well as stopping for lunch, we break for tea, coffee, biscuits and cake during the morning and afternoon. We promise not to work you too hard! It's a really good, simultaneously relaxing and productive time.

We aim to down tools at approximately 5.00 p.m. on both days. If you are arranging to be collected then any time after 5.15 is good. However, at the end of day two we like to sit down for a glass of something ... so rather than miss out, it's best to plan for 5.30 onwards on the second day. Of course, whoever is collecting you is welcome to come down to the woods, any time after 5.00.

Sturdy footwear should be worn and although we can all comfortably work under shelter should it rain, it is worth bringing suitable clothing for the short walk across the meadow to the woodland workshop, and this path can get muddy. Full directions are supplied on booking.

Please do remember that we are dealing with a natural material and whilst every effort is made to minimise the risk through careful selection, informed choice of design and careful and slow drying, some poles may develop splits as they dry. There is no way of avoiding this and therefore please understand that this is in the nature of the material.

If you have any questions or need further details, please feel free to contact me, Guy Mallinson, direct: guy@mallinson.co.uk.

Course Day Gallery

Photos taken during the first 'Totem Pole Carving' course, April 2008.