Woodlands Gathering Returns to Mineral Point for 7th Year

“I had absolutely never built anything. Ever........ Nonetheless, into my mind crept an outrageous thought. “Perhaps I could build a twig chair....”No one would have to know. I could do it in the barn. I could burn my mistakes. I grabbed a saw and cut a few trees. I got a drill, an axe, a knife, some glue, and I was off.” wrote author Daniel Mack in his first of five books.

Once tv producer, once college journalism teacher living in a small apartment in Manhattan just a few blocks from Harlem -- Daniel Mack has emerged from his hidden experiment with building a chair from twigs and branches, to become an acclaimed designer and style setter of contemporary rustic furniture, a leader of the current rustic movement in America and one of the founders of the Woodlanders Gathering. The Gathering is an eight year-running national event that offers a wide range of workshops for anyone interested in rustic furniture building and creating with natural materials. Daniel Mack will return to Wisconsin, by popular demand, for the seventh year of the Woodlanders Gathering in the Midwest, July 11-14, in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.

The “gathering” is an unique assembly of individuals--from across the continent--all ages, all backgrounds, all lifestyles with a common passion. A love for trees. Actually that’s too simply put. It’s a passion, even a reverence for the generosity, nourishment and support of the woods and the earth. Sounds philosophical? In many ways, it is.

On first glance, however, it is simply a gathering of nature loving folks who come together to learn, teach, create, network and enjoy each others company. With a common interest in living a more natural, sustainable lifestyle, the gathering participants may be beginners who are just curious about it all or they may be master rustic builders, gardeners and naturalists, woodworkers and wood carvers, basket makers, craftsmen and craftswomen.

For four days, July 11-14, 2008 in the charming art community of 2500 -- Mineral Point, Wisconsin they will share artistic adventures, creative inspiration at historic Shake Rag Alley--a rustic complex of log and brick buildings amid trees and lush greenery surrounding an ancient spring.

On their Woodlanders Gathering agenda is more than 60 workshops and demonstrations to choose from, nature outings, tours, discussion groups and a chance to just be with other friendly, conscious, people interested in sustainable living.

People travel from across the country to take part in the activities. The lineup of workshops includes: The Spirit of Woodlanders with Dan Mack, All About Earth Homes, Building Slab Benchs, Broom Making, Twig Mosaic Frames, Bent Willow Chairs, Willow Gathering, Fossil Expeditions, Buckthorn Tables, Tools & Joinery Techniques, Japanese Hypertufa Lanterns, Willow Garden Structures, Leaf Casting, Elements of Rustic Design, Bentwood Tables. Rustic Garden Trellises. Dyeing with Natural Plants, Woodcarving Birds & Wood Spirits, Split Cedar Basketry, Nature Imprints in Clay, Leather Journals, All about the Business & Marketing Rustic Creations, Rustic Lamps, Twig Mosaic Tables, Flower Pounding, Rustics in Architecture. Outdoor Fountains, Tool Sharpening, Rustic Materials Swap, Gourd Vessels, Tree Lore, and much more.

One can attend any number of the four days. Registration fees include a nutritious lunch daily and access to any or all of the workshop activities. For more information, contact the Woodlanders Central at 608-987-3292 in Mineral Point or get complete details on the web at www.shakeragalley.com.