JCCFS: Tell us more about your upcoming woodcarving class, “Greenwood Bowl and Spoon Carving” from June 8-14th. It’s for all levels, correct?

MC: Yes! The best way to learn to carve is by seeing, exploring and then doing. I work with students to make sure they understand the basic processes and then how they can effectively develop their project.

Since I am a professor, I spend a good bit of my focus each day telling students where we are, what our goals are for the day, and how we can achieve them. I also focus on having fun. Music, stories, breaks for stretching and questions are all built into our daily routine.

JCCFS: What can students expect to leave with? 

MC: Students should leave the class with one finished spoon, plus at least a rough finished bowl and spoon. Greenwood carving means we use use freshly fallen wood, which, even though it’s easier to carve, must be left a little thick to dry. But more than the things they can walk away with, students leave with the knowledge and capability that they, with only a few tools, can go home and make their own spoons and bowls.

JCCFS: Tell us a little more about yourself for those who are unfamiliar.

MC: I am a philosophy professor, author and woodworker. I’ve been carving bowls and spoons for more than a decade now. I’ve taught several greenwood classes at various woodworking and folk schools, like the Sawtooth School in Winston-Salem, NC and Wood and Shop Traditional Woodworking School in Earlysville, VA. When I teach, I focus on getting the students to understand the concepts and process through a careful presentation of the basics. I then help them to get as many “reps” as possible in that process so they can feel as comfortable as possible.

JCCFS: What is your favorite aspect of the John C. Campbell Folk School?

MC: My favorite part of teaching at the Folk School is the people I meet. I’ve had people take my class for 3 years in a row. It’s one of the joys to see them go from newbie to confident newbie in the span of a week.

JCCFS: What’s something you’ve carved recently that you’re proud of, and why?

MC: The piece I am most proud of at the moment is my whale bowl. It challenged me by stretching my skills and making me think more than I had before. The figural/sculptural nature of the bowl was fun and challenging to work through.

JCCFS: What tips would you give an aspiring musician or songwriter? Anything you wish you knew earlier in your career?

MC: I guess the one thing that I would tell either my younger self or a newbie to the craft, is that there are very few mistakes one can make. Sure, we all find reasons to critique our work, but the fun is often in the pursuit and not necessarily in ending the project. Especially in a world where social media and perfection is the attainment of likes and shares and virality, we need to remind ourselves we are all works in progress.