Sheri Tharp Woodcarving

Specialties

Sheri Tharp’s woodcarving classes are more than simple carving instruction. Students join a warm and supportive community of carvers, old and young, beginning and experienced. Projects can vary from simple to complex, figurative to abstract and whimsical to functional. This diversity offers a rich artistic experience.

History

Established in 1984.

Sheri Tharp began teaching woodcarving in 1984 after an internship with local long time carving teacher, Ben Shaw. She continues teaching that basic introductory class. She has expanded the curriculum to encourage students to explore traditional relief carving and sculpture as well as facilitating experimentation with non traditional wood arts and mixed media.

Meet the Business Owner

Sheri T.

Business Owner

Sheri Tharp is an artist, a professional woodcarver and master teacher. She has taught woodcarving for 27 years and has taught children art, woodworking, and carving for 21 years. In 1979 she apprenticed with Berkeley woodcarver and teacher Ben Shaw, taking over teaching his classes when he retired. Tharp collaborated with her mentor Barbara Mercer, a wooden toy maker and child psychologist, to work with children, adults, and seniors in various programs. She was awarded a civics arts grant in 2002 and 2003 for her Wood Arts program, teaching middle school youth and senior citizens at New Age Academy middle school. Tharp is also a businesswoman, and with her husband is co-​owner of Tharp-​Hamilton Woodworking, a custom cabinetry business that specializes in fine woodworking.