ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR. Diane Irwin has over 16 years experience teaching woodworking for Loyalist College and the Limestone School Board.She has taught children's classes for 6 years -including a summer camp program. Diane is a graduate of both a cabinetmaking as well as a carpentry program at local colleges. She has been creating and selling her wooden products at juried craft shows for over 16 years. Diane welcomes you to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for learning about wood and a whole lot more. 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 Mark Bergin/The Whig-Standard © 2007 Kingston Whig-Standard (ON). All rights reserved. Document number: news·20070818·XG·0095 |