The Magic of Kinetic Woodworking: Crafting Simple Automata

Tuesday, October 20 ~ 7:00pm-8:00pm EST

Step into the captivating world where woodworking meets mechanical magic. In this immersive 45-minute demonstration, studio furniture maker and designer Yoav Liberman introduces the art of simple automata—whimsical, hand-cranked wooden sculptures that bring inanimate objects to life through basic mechanics. Whether you are an experienced woodworker, a curious maker, or a hobbyist looking for a new creative outlet, this live session will demystify the core principles behind kinetic art. You will discover how simple mechanisms—cams, cranks, and levers—can transform raw, organic materials into mesmerizing, animated stories. During this session, Yoav will guide you through: The Anatomy of an Automaton: A tour of completed kinetic sculptures, showcasing the seamless dance between the outer figure and the hidden mechanism inside.  Found-Object Foundations: How to look at everyday wood creatively, such as turning a simple, rounded tree branch section cut on a bandsaw into a beautiful, rustic mechanism box. Accessible Material Choices: Techniques for whittling whimsical kinetic figures from soft basswood, alongside smart ways to incorporate simple metal elements to animate delicate wings, insect legs, or fine details. Core Mechanisms: An intuitive breakdown of basic linkages and actions that you can readily replicate in your own home shop using fundamental hand and power tools. This demonstration focuses on making kinetic sculpture intuitive, approachable, and deeply artistic. You’ll walk away with a functional understanding of simple mechanical movements and the creative inspiration to start building your own animated wooden wonders.

Cost: $25

This demonstration will be conducted live as a Zoom Meeting. Participants have video and audio access so they can ask questions and share their work with the instructor during the live event.

Participants will receive an email from Peters Valley at least 48 hours prior that includes a link and a password. Only registered participants will be admitted. Peters Valley records online programs and shares them with registered participants as a non-downloadable link for one month following the live event.