Back yard playground and sculpture garden

This is the view from the second floor.  The back yard has a playground and a small sculpture garden.  If we get the building we will refurbish the playground and open it up to the community.

Third Floor

This is the top of the stairway on the third floor.  There is only one room on the third floor, a wonderful room with a stage, great for meetings,events or even a gallery.

Second Floor

These are more pictures of the space on the second floor.  All rooms have lots of natural light and all have chalk boards, awesome.

More views inside Hartford Ave School

These rooms are huge, they have lots of windows and all have tin ceilings. These room are upstairs on the second floor. There are also a few smaller rooms which will make great administrative offices.  Keep your fingers crossed that we can work out a deal with the town

Inside 1 Hartford Ave East

Today Liesl and I had a look inside the old Hartford Ave School.  W are considering leasing it from the town of Uxbridge for the future site of the craft school.  The school needs some TLC but it has great bones. There was fantastic woodwork and tin ceilings all over.  The school has three floors and a basement.  The third

 floor was the auditorium and has a great stage.

 

1 Hartford Ave East/The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts

This is the old elementary school on Hartford Ave East in Uxbridge, MA.W e are currently talking with the town about a lease to make this the permanent home of The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts.  If everything works out well we will refurbish the playground in the back, opening it up to the neighborhood and creating an alotment garden for the public  We want to create an energetic, vibrant craft center catering to the needs of the community.  Wish us luck'  Please keep watching the blog to see how things work out.  If you are in favor of our plan and would like to support our cause please call the town magaer of Uxbridge, MA and tell him you would like to see our venture in the neighborhood.  The Blackstone Valley School of Crafts relies on generous and kind donations of others for support   All donations to the school are tax deductible.  The Blackstone Valley School of Craft is always looking for donations of new, old, and used equipment and books.  We want to create a lending library specializing in the crafts.  This library will be open to the general

public.  

 



Build a wooden hand plane

Saturday February 5th. 10-4
Tuition $115 + $60 Material Fee
Instructor: Steve Butler

This is a great class for any one who wants to learn the basics of woodworking and who has a love of hand tools. There is nothing more gratifying than making your own tools. Of all the tools used to shaped wood, the hand plane is the one that has come to symbolize craftsmanship. It's no surprise. Here's a cutting tool that is designed to create truth: dead straight and flat surfaces ready for finishing and precise joinery. Tuning up one and mastering its use are two of the greatest thrills of woodworking. There is a genuine pleasure in using a finely tuned hand plane. Making your own out of wood is truly rewarding because you can create something that that fits your hands and suits your needs. In this workshop we will learn how to make, tune up and use a Krenov style wooden hand plane.
Skill Level: Beginner-Advanced
For more information email: blackstonevalleyschoolofcraft@gmail.com
or call 413-717-5062

As a furniture maker, Steve Butler has been creating artwork for over twenty years. Born in Toronto, Canada, he began his woodworking career serving a formal apprenticeship. After his apprenticeship training he worked in various furniture studios in the Toronto area. As his passion for art and craft grew he pursued formal training at Sheridan College of Art and Design, majoring in furniture design. Graduating with honors, Steve then went to Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where he studied education. Steve is the former Department Head of the wood studio at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ and the Worcester Center for Crafts in Worcester, MA. Steve is currently the director of the newly formed Blackstone Valley School of Crafts in Grafton, MA. He exhibits his work throughout the US and has been featured in various publications such as Lark Book’s 500 Chairs and 500 Tables.