Intro to Figure Carving Workshop Series

CLASS: Intro to Figure Carving with Mark Bair
DATES/TIMES: Saturdays July 12 & 19, 2025 from 11am-2pm both days
LOCATION: Guild Gallery & Art Center, 24353 Redwood Hwy. Kerby, OR 97531
PRICE: $45-$75 sliding scale fee & includes ALL materials

Looking to learn a new skill or hobby this summer? Join Guild Member Mark Bair for a 2-part workshop series Intro to Figure Carving on Saturdays July 12 & 19 at the Guild Gallery & Art Center in Kerby.  Mark provides many years as a seasoned artist to help you find your courage and trust with the carving process. With his detailed instruction and hands-on assistance, you'll feel confident enough to start and finish woodcarving on your own using the skills you learn in class. You'll walk away with a finished and painted figure carving along with knowledge of basic carving techniques and wood selection!

In class session #1, Mark will share basic history of figure carving, tools, safety and maintenance. Afterward, design and pattern making are next, followed by a short primere on understanding wood and how to work with it. Mark will demonstrate 4 basic cuts and when to use them, after which you will get carving! Students can stay late until 5pm to finish carving, if needed. In class session #2, finish your last carving details and paint your finished pieces with acrylic paints!

Class is for ages 18+ and all skill levels are welcome--no prior experience is required. Class fees are sliding scale $45-$75 and includes ALL materials. When you register, please honestly self-select your contribution. Choose a tier that supports you to commit. By paying at the highest level you help subsidize others and offer scholarships to support a wider range of people. If the sliding scale would be a hardship and you’d like to request a scholarship, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at (541)-592-5019.

ABOUT MARK BAIR: From a young age, Mark Bair was immersed in creativity, growing up in a household shaped by the artistic influence of his grandmother and mother—both talented artists, artisans, and accomplished cooks and bakers. Surrounded by tools, materials, and the spirit of craftsmanship, Mark developed an early appreciation for the world of art and making.

Like many artists, he has explored a wide range of mediums, including paper, paint, clay, and eventually wood. In the late 90s, Mark began studying wooden boat building, which sparked a deeper interest in woodcarving—a medium that has captivated his attention ever since. Alongside his carving work, he continues to keep several sketchbooks active and always has his watercolors nearby. Although much of his work is created in solitude, Mark finds great joy in teaching his craft. Sharing techniques and ideas with like-minded individuals is a fulfilling and energizing part of his artistic life.

By 2019, Mark had built a successful art business spanning two decades. He taught workshops, exhibited in galleries, and traveled the east coast craft circuit. His work is held in permanent museum collections and has been collected around the world. In response to the pandemic in 2020, Mark closed his studio and embraced life as a full-time RVer, splitting his time between the Illinois Valley in the spring and summer, the Oregon Coast in the fall, and the Mojave Desert during the winter months. Today, he maintains a small studio in Southern Oregon and continues to create wherever he travels, always finding space for art in his ever-changing surroundings.