In the Making: Carving Wood & Stone

September 27, 2024

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In the Making

“Increasingly, we’re so used to having an undo button. I think it’s great to have to slow down and to know that your decisions are final… It encourages me to be quite calm and mindful. In a world that’s so busy and fast, the fact for me that [stone carving] is slow and permanent is the best bit.”

On Thursday, May 23, 2024 we spoke with Zoë Wilson and William Barsley—carvers of wood and stone and graduates of the City & Guilds of London Art School—who joined us from the UK to talk about their creative carving practices and businesses.

Through travel after schooling, Zoë and Will each researched and studied carving techniques around the world. While living in and traveling through Southeast Asia and Borneo, Zoë fell in love with the geometric Islamic patterns of the region, incorporating them into her stone carving work. Carving wood from a young age, William left his 9-5 job with the UN to travel the globe in search of inspiration from master woodcarvers.


“In the Making” is a public programs series where we connect with a range of new voices, fields, and perspectives. Learn more and view a full list of events on the series homepage.

With thanks to our underwriters

Massachusetts Cultural Council
Kuiken Brothers

Holt & Bugbee
Adams + Beasley Associates

Feinmann, Inc.
Platt Builders

Columbia Contracting Corp.
F.H. Perry Builder
Firestone & Parson Inc.
Inland Underwriters Insurance Agency

New England Design & Construction