| I started taking classes as a
beginner woodworker and have taken several classes from George since 1999. He is an
effective instructor with an easy going personality. He has an extensive
reference library, numerous photos and measured drawings of period
furniture form which he develops class projects. The drawings and photos
of the original piece are invaluable teaching and reference aids. He
takes a personal interest in each student and will not let you fail Dwight C ... Michigan
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I have been woodworking and making furniture as a hobby since the mid-1970s. In recent years I have been concentrating mostly on building early-American reproduction furniture. I had reached a point in my work where I was frustrated in not being able to undertake projects with decorative carving on them. My ball and claw feet were flat and not alive; my shells were primitive at best. Then I discovered George Slack’s carving classes. George begins his students on the fundamentals and works them through increasingly complex and sophisticated elements of furniture ornamentation. He is a hands-on instructor, showing the student how to accomplish a wide range of tasks with direct instruction and support. He is different than many accomplished woodworkers in that he is completely open and sharing of what he knows and has a real passion about helping other people develop the ability to do this sort of work. After students achieve the basic skill levels, he gives them the opportunity to build reproduction pieces under his supervision and direction. He provides plans, class instruction, and direct aid and support in getting through the most difficult projects. The end result is almost always more than the student ever thought he or she would achieve as a woodworker. Beyond the gratification from making pieces seen in some of the finest antique catalogues and museum guides in the country, this is a tremendous learning opportunity for anyone interested in our early American heritage.
Sylvester S. Chevy Chase, Maryland |
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Although already an experienced furniture maker
and woodworking teacher, I elected to take the Newport Kneehole Desk
class with George Slack in the Fall of 2004 in order to learn the art
and craft of carving. I am largely self-taught, but was intimidated by
the prospect of carving. George broke the carving process down into
small and manageable steps, and with his able guidance, my desk made the
Readers Gallery section of Fine Woodworking in October 2005.
George painstakingly drew the desk over the course of several trips to Rhode Island, with the cooperation of the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Careful measurements were taken, and details were noted. It was a fine set of prints. I chose not to follow all of the period construction details, but that was my choice and I received no displeasure. Hard maple was substituted for pine drawer parts; a mahogany frame and flat panel forms the back, eschewing the pine planks of the original. But if it is period accuracy that a student seeks, then the drawings and shop notes provide that information for the purist. I have no hesitancy in recommending George Slack as a teacher, and carver, of much skill and experience. Alan T.... Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| I started as a beginner woodworker and have taken several classes from George
Slack, from classes covering small carving projects to those building
complete pieces of furniture.. I have been immensely happy with these
classes. George is an excellent teacher. He communicates well what needs
to be done. He spends time with individual students ensuring that they
understand the use of the tools, the changes in wood, reading the grain
and other essential skills. The most important thing about any of
these classes is that George, does not allow anyone to fail. As
long as a student is willing to do the work, that student will complete
the project, learn the required skills, and leave the class successful.
I look forward to these classes as they provide me with the opportunity
to ask questions and learn more about the skills needed to continue
toward my own personal goals of furniture making. If you are
looking to learn furniture carving, create reproduction 18th century
furniture, or just be a better wood worker, George's classes are the
way to go. I am currently taking George's Tilt Top Tea Table class
and am looking forward to taking the Rhode Island 9-Shell Secretary class later this
year.
Oliver S....Nokesville, Virginia |
| II had only been involved with woodworking for
a couple of years when I first met George Slack. My first project
with him was the Newport Case Clock, and while I was initially
intimidated by the difficulty of the piece, my skills and confidence
improved with time in the shop and practice. I'm now about to
start my fourth class with him (and I plan on taking more in the
future). During this time I've come to know George as a patient
teacher. He is generous with his time and talents, and he is
dedicated to ensuring that each of his students makes a beautiful piece
of furniture. The projects that George chooses are challenging and
have turned what was just a hobby into a lasting passion for period
furniture.
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| When I first met George I had extremely
limited woodworking skills and no carving experience. Over the
past two years my woodworking knowledge and skill level has dramatically
increased. However, what I have gained the most satisfaction from
is carving techniques George has taught. His teaching is very
straight forward and hands on and what I appreciate is that he works
with you until not only do you create a beautiful carving, but also
until you fully understand the methodology and sequence to the carving.
For anyone interested in honing their skills, learning first rate
carving techniques and an interest in creating heirloom pieces I
encourage you to meet George, see some of the pieces he has
created and talk to other students about their experiences. Boyd C. Richmond, Virginia |
| II Had a weeklong one on one carving lesson
from George. He was extremely patient with my limited carving skills,
and taught me a lot. He organized the week both to meet my
expectations and to build skills he considered I needed. I can now
sharpen any carving chisel, carve several types of shells, both flat and
on a knee, carve a Philadelphia style ball and claw foot, and make
a piecrust tray. I'm confidant that I can replicate any of these carved
items in my shop. He is an extremely patient teacher, repeating as
often as necessary the same point(s) until they stuck in my head.
He is a very energetic carver, far outlasting me each day. His
studio is comfortable and well equipped. The collection of
furniture he has made is amazing, in it's detail, range and beauty.
He could teach so many furnituremaking and carving topics that it will
be difficult for me to decide what I want to learn from him next year. Mark J. Weber, Minnesota |