Information for Registered Students:
WELCOME to the 26th Annual Sax Stone Carving Workshops and our 2026 season of Mini-Workshops.
Please read through this information and let us know if you have any questions.
Mini Workshops: Following the overview and demonstrations,
students in the LETTER CARVING CLASS will begin practicing carving a straight line and letters. Bring an idea - an epitaph, a house number - for something to carve. Stone and tools for use during the class are provided, and stone, lettering chisels, and hammers will also be available for sale on site. This class will set students on the path to further practice carving letters in stone.
students in the MASONRY SKILLS CLASS will work together on a short flagstone pathway and a low stone wall, such that preparing the foundation, readying the materials, and using tools, can be covered. This class will give students a foundation in how to do basic projects in stone.
students in the WELDING CLASS will learn about safety, welding helmets, the different types of welding and equipment, and will have ample time to practice in pairs making a weld (watching and doing in turns) - followed by work on the class project in which everyone will make their own (to be determined) project to take home. All supplies are provided, but bring your own welding helmet, welding gloves, and/or welding machine if you have them.
Please bring your own water and lunch. We’ll have coffee and snacks each morning. Wear closed toed shoes, and bring gloves, safety glasses, and any other tools you may have.
MINI WORKSHOPS run from 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Stone carving workshop Sessions 1 and 2 are for any level carver. Students will have time to work on their own projects with assistance as needed from the instructors.
A cubic foot of limestone is included in class tuition.
If you are starting a new project, please bring A MODEL - such as a small figurine, clay model, etc. - or photographs and/or drawings.
Lunch is NOT included in the seven-day sessions. Please plan accordingly. We have a refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven.
If you plan to stay for the extension period, you will bring your own lunch and there is no instruction. Payment by the day for the extension is made online in advance.
Beginners are encouraged to carve a mortaio (traditional Italian beginners project).
All techniques necessary to make a work will be introduced: basic geology, tool choice and care, safety, how to start, use of hand tools, and a brief survey of power tools.
Stone Carving Sessions 1 and 2 run from 9:00am to 5:00pm each day.
If you need to come late or leave early, it is up to you, but you may miss something important.
PREPARING FOR THE CLASS and CLASS GUIDELINES:
In addition to your DUST MASK, please bring SAFETY GLASSES, NOTEBOOK and PENCILS.
We recommend Northern Safety for eye and face protection.
Bring your own COFFEE THERMOS and WATER BOTTLE. We will have plenty of coffee, tea, and water, but you must bring your own cup and/or thermos.
Bring or ship your own TOOLS if you have them. US students need to ship a week prior to the class at the very latest.
UPS and FedEx ONLY:
Southwest Stoneworks / Rift Gallery,2249 NM 68, Rinconada, NM 87531
USPS ONLY:
Tim Lehmann, PO Box 248, Dixon, NM 87527
Stone carving students will need A BASIC SET OF CARVING TOOLS: Hammer, Lettering Chisels, Point, Claw Chisel, Flat Chisel - and those can be purchased during the class. (We do NOT recommend that you try to get bargain tools ahead of time to save a few dollars. Some people have done that in the past, and it turns out not to be a bargain at all if your tools are of poor quality.)
POWER TOOLS: To protect everyone’s health and safety, use of power tools requires prior approval from the staff.
BORROWING and RENTING TOOLS: If you would like to rent a set of tools for the week, please speak to Tim PRIOR TO THE CLASS. The best way to reach him is by phone (614) 623-1939.
A beginners tool set can be purchased on the first day for approximately $150, depending on what you need.
There are also some loaner tools which you can use for up to ONE HOUR with Tim’s approval. Please return them to the lender table so that others can have access to them. We do encourage everyone to purchase his/her own hammers, chisels, rifflers, blades, and sharpening stones. You can rent a pneumatic hammer but will need to purchase the chisels for it. Also you can rent a grinder but will need to purchase the blade. We have some power tools for sale.
If you will need extensive cuts to your stone, please speak to Tim PRIOR TO THE CLASS. There will be an extra fee, and we try to avoid prolonged cutting of stone during the class, so plan ahead.
Wear CLOSED TOE SHOES. No flip-flops! You should consider wearing a hat, insect repellent and sunscreen. Depending on the bug situation, you may prefer long sleeves and long pants.
After the class ends, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to arrange for CRATING AND SHIPPING of your piece. We recommend TAOS CRATING. They can pick-up your stone, crate it and ship it, at your expense. We DO NOT STORE your work or provide shipping services.
SAFETY:
Keep your clothes neat so that they don't get caught in anything. Tie back long hair, out of harm's way.
Watch out for power cords and air hoses on the ground. Keep your area neat.
In case of a rainstorm, unplug everything and move to safety.
Wear protective eyewear at all times when carving, cutting, and drilling (power tool users).
Wear ear protection when using power tools.
Wear a particulate mask when making dust (power tool users).
LIBRARY BOOKS are NOT TO LEAVE THE LIBRARY AREA. Please treat them gently. If you would like an image from a book, we can usually make a color copy. Please ask for assistance.
CLASS PROTOCOL:
For beginners and first time participants, there will be a special ORIENTATION on the first day.
We ask that during your time here you are considerate of others' ability to concentrate. Keeping idle conversation to a minimum while working improves the overall tone of the class. Students who disrupt the class will be relocated.
We provide morning coffee and tea, and there is a refrigerator for student use. There are a couple of food wagons and a cooperative market deli within a 10-minute drive.
Please use the OUTHOUSE during the class. It is very clean and sanitary with fresh air and fantastic views. Men are encouraged to urinate in the wide open spaces out back, taking care to avoid the stone in our inventory.
Do NOT bring your dog.
NO smoking, drugs, or alcohol ANYWHERE ON THE CAMPUS.
Please bring up any concerns or problems to the staff. We are here to make sure your experience is positive!
GETTING HERE:
Our location is 2249 NM 68, Rinconada, NM. If you have never been here, please be wary of your GPS instructions. Please refer to the map at the bottom of this website.
After unloading your vehicle, please park along the highway in a safe place. Do not park in front of the fire station next door.
If you have any questions about finding appropriate accommodations, just send me an email. If this is your first time attending the class, we recommend staying on the south end of Taos, as there are plenty of affordable rooms and restaurants for your convenience. Dixon has limited shopping and only one restaurant with limited hours. If you want our personal recommendations for Dixon airbnb’s (as some are better than others), just email us.
FINALLY, and most importantly, ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE. We encourage you to embrace this opportunity to work with our knowledgeable staff and alongside other people who share your passion for stone carving.
If you have ANY questions, just ask us!
For questions relating to carving and to the classes themselves, Tim’s email is timjlehmann@gmail.com. Better yet, call him at 505.579.9179 during regular business hours.
For questions relating to logistics, payments, food, etc. Betsy’s email is riftgallery@yahoo.com.
Let’s continue this work. Please keep our non-profit entity in mind for your estate plans. Find out more HERE.