Product Description
Pollie Howland – Wood and Stained Glass, John Burger – Metal Sculptor, James Riggs – Wood Turner, Rachel Burger – Leather Work, and Jim Karl – Woodwork
Visitors to Shop Class can meet many of the artists and artisans that teach and create at this unique community workshop, located north of the historic district in a 100-year-old reclaimed warehouse.
- Pollie Howland is the artist responsible for all amazingly detailed scrollwork pieces you will see on display. Her work has been featured at the Bank of the Arts in downtown New Bern, and you will see her stained glasswork in the windows at Shop Class.
- Jim Karl, an engineer by training, has been doing carpentry and woodworking for as long as he can remember. His custom furniture creations are also available at the Community Artists Gallery & Studios on Middle Street.
- Jonathan Burger creates large-scale sculptures using metal, concrete, and paint. You may have seen some of his work in the historic area. Jonathan is also the Executive Director Craven Arts Council & Gallery.
- Rachel Pettigrew Burger creates original leather crafts, including purses, bags, and growler bags.
- James Riggs has won numerous woodturning awards, including being named Best Turner in Carteret County.
Shop Class is the invention of master carpenter Maurice Howland. Inspired by a lifetime spent in woodshops, Mo decided to turn his hobby into a career and opened the do-it-yourself community workshop. Members pay for time in the space and can utilize the tools needed to create a masterpiece.
A beginner? No problem. In addition to renting workshop space, the talented crew from Shop Class offers workshops where you can learn to safely operate equipment and the basics of woodworking. Additional classes in woodturning, welding, joinery, stained glass, and even working with hand-tools such as chisels, planes and scrapers are offered by their master instructors.