the neighborhood of Pinolere, in La Orotavainaugurated this week the new classroom for training in traditional crafts Rafael Saigi Dominguez, who begins his career with a wood turning course. This cultural and educational space bears the name of the precursor artisan of the transformation of wood into art on the island of Tenerifealways linked, until his death, to the Pinolere Craft Fair.
This new space is located in the Ethnographic Park of Pinolere and it opens these days with a training action, with a dozen places, to train people interested in learning the trade of wood turner. Classes will be led by jose louis santos, a craftsman in Tenerife and specialist in turning. It will be an eminently practical training, which aims for the student to learn to use the lathe with artistic creativity to make different objects and utensils.
Since the Pinolere Association it is confirmed that this will be «the first course of many others, since throughout the next year others will be carried out, not only of a traditional nature but of various specialties. In addition, the classroom will host different events in collaboration with other entities for innovation, promotion and promotion of employment in the craft sector. This project has the support and collaboration of the Island Council of Tenerife and of the City Hall of the Villa de La Orotava.
The content of this training includes aspects such as the cut, shapes and textures of wood, and delves into the use and correct positions of each work tool and how these directly affect the modeling of the wood and its body. The ultimate goal of the course is for the participant to “obtain a solid theoretical-practical knowledge on the operation of the wood lathe, working positions, tools and turning techniques.” Specifically, issues such as the sharpening of gouges and chisels for turning wood will be addressed; tools and elements for hitting and tightening; the secrets of sharpening and setting stones, or primers, dyes, waxes and varnishes. After preparing a block for turning, each student will work on a real example of craftsmanship in wood turning.
