Workshop Wizards offers classes in woodworking, carving, stained glass and mosaics.

Classes are offered during the day time, evenings and weekends.

JOIN ANYTIME

CARVING

Learn how to carve with a knife and gouges. Make some great projects for gifts and Christmas including santas and woodspirits.

Fall Classes start the week of Sept 13th.

Mon 3 pm - 8 pm

Carving classes

Children - 1 1/2 hour class $ 80 & HST for 7 weeks

Adults - 2 1/2 hour class $ 160 & HST for 8 weeks

Tuesday 3:30 -5:30 pm

Children's Woodworking 2 hours for 8 weeks $ 125

Thursday 9:30 am -12 pm

Adult Carving

-2 1/2 hour class for 8 weeks $ 160 & HST

6pm - 8:30 pm

Carving Class

Children - 1 1/2 hour class $ 80 & HST for 7 weeks

Adults - 2 1/2 hour class $ 160 & HST for 8 weeks

STAINED GLASS -

Learn how to cut, grind, foil and solder glass.

WED - 5 week class 2:30PM - 5:30PM

Make suncatcher and 10" x 12" panel $ 160

MOSAIC GLASS - all the beauty of stained glass without foiling and soldering. Projects include

windows, small to large, trays, birdhouses, tabletops,christmas decorations and more. -

TUES 6 PM -9 PM

Pay as you play $ 10 an hour -includes glass, adhesive and grout

Project fees from $ 2 to $ 25

WOMEN'S WOODWORKING

Learn how to safely use tools to build small projects and take on home projects. Learn how to cut, drill, measure , sand and more with wood.

Mon : 9am-12pm Tues 9am-12pm Wed 9am-12pm

$ 150 -classes. Materials extra

CHILDREN'S WOODWORKING

Suitable for age 7 and up.

Learn how to use a tape measure, mark and cut wood. Use a scroll saw and drill press to create your own choice of project. Choose from over 24 projects.

Tues 3:30pm-5:30pm - 4 classes

Birthday Parties - book the shop for 2 hours -build a project of your choice -prices vary - call for details

We also offer a school trip program ..

Stop by and visit the shop at

301 John Street Napaneee 613-354-2268

301 John St. Napanee " The Old Train Station"

613-354-2268 e-mail: workshopwizards@hotmail.com

Kingston Whig-Standard (ON)
Sunday Drive, Saturday, August 18, 2007 , p. 40
Working for 'wow' with wizards
Artist shares Napanee train station with travellers
Mark Bergin

Not only can you still catch trains to Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal at the Napanee train station, you can also catch flights of fancy.

Woodcarver Diane Irwin's Workshop Wizards studio and gallery operate out of the 150-year-old limestone train station. There, you'll find wizardly works of whimsy.

Such wasn't always the case. Irwin got her start in arts and crafts stores, but in 1987, fuelled by a desire to strike out on her own, she enrolled in a cabinet-making course at Loyalist College. When she graduated, she had the know-how, but no tools. So, she used the shop at Queen Elizabeth Collegiate and Vocational Institute and, before long, others began approaching her for advice.

"That was a great thing," Irwin said. In 1990, she started a 16 year journey teaching woodworking courses at night for Loyalist College and the Limestone District School Board. She also ran women's tool and building workshops at two home improvement shops. These were such a success that schools were invited to participate.

"All of this allowed me to test the waters," Irwin said. When these jobs ended, Irwin participated in a government sponsored self-employment program run by Peter Skebo in Kingston.

"I wouldn't have ventured on my own without that program," she said.

She first opened Workshop Wizards on Princess Street in Kingston. A year later, she heard about the availability of the Napanee train station and moved her shop there in September, 2006.

"A lot of people don't know that it's still functional," Irwin said. "The 11 a.m. train to Toronto and 7:45 p.m. train to Ottawa and Montreal still stop here."

The old train station is more than just a shelter open for half an hour before trains arrive: The waiting room is Irwin's gallery; the other half is Irwin's studio and is full of hand and electric tools and works in progress.

Irwin said that since opening her studio at the station, she's become a train freak. The limestone station is one of 32 built on the same design.

"Some are wood, some brick and some limestone," she said. "Only nine survive. It's wonderful to be in a place that's such a part of history."

Some people stop by on their travels to visit the studio because of their childhood memories.

"One elderly gentleman in a wheelchair visited and said he used to come to the station when he was a child. His father knew a conductor. They'd take the train on Christmas Eve to go to visit their grandparents for Christmas."

The building is owned by the Town of Napanee. Both Irwin and VIA rent it from the town.

"The building is fabulous for light," Irwin said. "I love to carve in the afternoon because the light is perfect."

There's an emotional lightness to Irwin's work.

"When I do my carvings, I'm trying to put something into the carving that will bring a smile to your face," she said. "If my customers smile and laugh, I know I've done a good job."

To complement her carving and woodworking activities, Irwin runs woodworking classes for adults and children ages six and up at her studio. Some of the classes are geared to women only. She also offers wood carving classes. Her studio is a unique spot for birthday parties, and PA day and March break activities.

On Sept. 8 and 9, Workshops Wizards will host an open house to celebrate her first anniversary in the Napanee train station and the second anniversary of her Workshop Wizards business.

On Oct. 27 and 28, Irwin is hosting a workshop with master sculptor Neil Z. Cox who works in wood, stone and bronze and has won international fame, including best of show at the International Woodcarvers Congress in the U.S.

"I do this because I enjoy seeing this look of 'Wow' on people's faces when they create something themselves," Irwin said. "The child who's learned to drill a hole or the adult who's created a beautiful stained glass panel. I love the feeling."

Boxe(s):

IF YOU GO

Where: 301 John St., Napanee.

Directions: Take Princess Street (Highway 2) west from Kingston. In Napanee, turn right at John Street and follow it to the end.

Hours: The studio and gallery are usually open daily but call to make sure Diane Irwin will be in. An open house is being held Sept. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For class and workshop times, check the website.

More: www.workshopwizards.com; 613-354-2268, or e-mail Irwin at workshopwizards@hotmail.com.

Figure:

Mark Bergin/The Whig-Standard
Carver and woodworker Diane Irwin knows she's done a piece well if it makes a customer smile or laugh. Her gallery and studio is in the old train station in Napanee.

Mark Bergin/The Whig-Standard
Diane Irwin offers women's, children's and open woodworking workshops, as well as carving and stained glass classes.

© 2007 Kingston Whig-Standard (ON). All rights reserved.

Document number: news·20070818·XG·0095