We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming workshops. These are open to anyone who wishes to learn about the process. You do not need to be a member of the association. Almost all workshops are beginner level. No experience necessary. Registration is a three-step process. Click a workshop link for more. Contact Dry Stone Canada via our email at the bottom of the page if you have any questions.
Each year, we host 7-10 workshops and train around 100 people in dry stone construction and stone carving through our workshop program. Workshops typically are hosted at Heritage Sites, parks, public land, or in some cases on private land with public access or in historically significant areas viewable by the public. See some of our multi-year workshop sites here.
Our workshops are designed to be a learning opportunity for anyone interested in the art and craft of dry stone. While each workshop may be slightly different in type of structure (wall, retaining wall, arch, bridge, folly), type of stone (field, quarried, flat, round, etc.), and may be a new build or a restoration, the basics of building are fundamentally the same.
The basic guidelines to build are rather straightforward, and one weekend will give you a good understanding of how to build and how to recognize a well built structure. And while there are many ways to build (as culture and geography dictates) we follow the Dry Stone Walling Association United Kingdom (DSWAUK) standards.
To participate, you do not need any particular skill, or tools, or feel you may not be strong enough. As long as you are interested in learning you will be able to do this.
Our instructors are skilled dry stone wallers and have certification in both dry stone construction and instruction. As well, we utilize experienced member volunteers to assist the instructors in order to ensure more oversight and a better participant/instructor ratio.
Our workshops are community-oriented and inclusive. We promote a fun and relaxed environment. We will expect you to ask questions, ask for assistance, engage with your fellow participants, and most of all to enjoy yourself.
Current Workshops
Wall Restoration Workshop, Franktown, Ontario
St. James Anglican Church in the village of Franktown (east of Perth, Ontario) requires their 180 ft historic dry stone wall repaired. The wall is 2 ft. wide and 4 ft high with round stones on the top as copes.
The focus of this workshop will be on the application of dry stone walling principles for the preservation of historic stone walls.
The site is at A.M (Mac) Cuddy Gardens in Strathroy, Ontario. The gardens include a wall that has been built of the past few years as part of the Fanshawe College Horticulture Program. We will be extending a new section of the wall.
Wall Restoration Workshop, Pethericks Rd, near Campbellford Ontario
This wall runs parallel to Pethericks Rd. It is falling down in sections. This repair is a multiyear project. Excellent for beginners.
Wall Restoration, Cherry Hill Cemetery, Lunenburg County, N.S.
Dry Stone Canada is proud to partner with The Friends of Cherry Hill Cemetery to offer this 2 day walling workshop.
The Friends of Cherry Hill Cemetery (FCHC) propose to restore a cemetery wall dating from the early to mid 1800’s. It defines the entrance to the resting place of the many of Cherry Hill’s first early settlers.
Cherry Hill is a seaside village situated in Lunenburg county. It’s on the Lighthouse Route. Nearby communities are Vogler’s Cove (3 km) and Broad Cove (4 km).
Wall Restoration Workshop, Scotsdale Farm, Georgetown, ON
We invite you to take part in a multi-year project where Dry Stone Canada has working with Scotsdale Farm, an Ontario Heritage Trust site, to restore a wall surrounding the main house front garden.