Alton Mill will rock on at Stonefest ‘14

October 10, 2014 · 0 Comments

The Dry Stone Walling Association of Canada and the Alton Mill Arts Centre present Stonefest ‘14, the association’s annual festival, Thanksgiving weekend, Oct. 10 and 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
It’s the story of heritage. It’s about hardy, purpose-driven creativity. It spans from agriculture to industry, reaches into the arts and all the way back through geology.
The festival is a gathering of professional wallers and walling enthusiasts. Watch as stone wallers from across North America and the UK build a number of spectacular dry stone features on the grounds of the Alton Mill.
Want to learn how to wall? Sign up, put on work boots, get dirty, tired and hungry, and learn the venerable art of stone wall construction from professional instructors. This two-day workshop on the grounds of the Alton Mill is open to masons, landscapers and enthusiasts of all abilities. The hands-on course will cover safety, basic terminology, structure and styles of dry stone walling. Students will learn about important walling elements such as hearting, batter, through-stones, cheek ends, corners and various types of coping. Participants will learn techniques of dry laid construction including stiles and various structural solutions to carry out sympathetic repair of historic stone walls.
Tuition is $300. The course includes 15 hours of instruction, lunch and dinner both days. It is a rain or shine event, and students are required to bring their own gloves, safety shoes, eye wear protection and appropriate clothing.
Space is limited. For information, go to drystonecanada.com
Register at generalinfo@drystonecanada.com or in person at Shaw’s Creek Café at Alton Mill.