I Saw the Sign: Wooden Sign Carving
Registration
$325.00
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Erin Philp
Wednesday to Friday, September 23 – September 25, 2026
10:00am – 4:00pm
In this workshop we will design and carve a wooden sign for your home, business or to give as a gift. Concepts covered include the foundations of sign carving, the use of a variety of chisels and knives, as well as basic carving knowledge regarding wood type and grain direction. Students will get to design their sign on a wood blank (come with an idea in mind!) and then move on to carving and finally completing it with discussions on the pros and cons of a variety of finishes. By the end of the workshop you’ll have a sign to hang and enjoy!
All levels are encouraged to register.
Students should bring:
- An idea for a 12″ x 14″ sign (We will have the 12” x 14” blanks on site, if you want different dimensions of a similar size you will need to let us know at a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of the course).
- Any clamps or carving tools you might have and want to use (the LSA will have some on hand).
- A mallet or hammer if you have one (the LSA will have some on hand).
- Hearing protection (the LSA will have some on hand).
Bookings
Erin Philp
Erin Philp is a South Shore-based artist, woodworker and shipwright. Blending her university roots in history with the technical precision of a Red Seal cabinetmaker, Erin’s work is as much about storytelling as it is about construction. Her career has been defined by a lifelong connection to the water, from her youth sailing the Great Lakes to her professional work restoring wooden vessels across the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
Her portfolio features playful reinterpretations of nautical themes, often drawing inspiration from maritime history and the coastal landscape of Nova Scotia. While Erin maintains a profound reverence for heritage methodology and manual tools, her practice is equally defined by innovation and a willingness to venture beyond conventional boundaries. At its core, her work explores the intersection of courage, play, and technical precision.
Erin’s public art piece, High Tide, is currently on permanent display at the Narrows Basin Bridge along the Dynamite Trail in Mahone Bay, NS.