Donna Zils Banfield

Pyro-Carved and Painted Wood Surfaces

September 21 - 26, 2025

Open to All Skill Levels

Woodturning, Sculpture

Overview

The Wood Ffolkkes - sculptural works, a mythical community of abstract forms - are the result of the instructor’s ‘18-month pandemic vacation’. In this workshop, students will go beyond the Wood Ffolkkes and learn woodturning, carving, pyro-carving and painting techniques. These techniques can then be used on any lathe-turned form, or flat wood surfaces.

This workshop will cover basic woodturning forms, woodburning tips used in pyro-carving and using those tips to create patterns on their turned forms, and how to add color using the dry brush painting method. Students will leave this workshop with several pieces, all of them different forms, pattern designs and colors, as well as the skills necessary to create their own designs and use those skills in multiple future woodworking and woodturning projects.

Course Fee : $852.00

Download The Materials List

Scholarships & Material Fees

Need help covering workshop costs? Arrowmont offers financial aid opportunities to broaden access to our arts and craft programs. We believe a diverse community enriches the learning experience for all.

Material fees are not included in our national workshop costs, but are included with the cost of our winter short workshops. A material list with estimated costs will be emailed about 30 days before the national workshop begins.

TUITION & FEES

SCHOLARSHIPS

Cost Breakdown

Registration Fee

$50.00

One Week Workshop Tuition

$852.00

Estimated Cost*
*Fees exclude housing and meal plans

$902.00

VIEW HOUSING & MEAL PLAN COSTS

Artist Bio

Donna Zils Banfield

Donna Zils Banfield is an award-winning artist who has been creating works of art in wood in her Derry, New Hampshire studio since 2001. She is highly sought after for teaching her surface embellishment techniques and frequently travels to present at symposia across the country and Europe. She has taught at prestigious institutions including Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Marc Adams School of Woodworking, and Snow Farm: The New England Craft School. Her work is held in major institutions such as the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, the Permanent Collection of the League of NH Craftsmen, and private collections worldwide. Donna was recently featured as one of ten artists in the award-winning documentary film, A Handmade Life, which was shown at the 2024 NH Film Festival and later appeared on PBS.

Artist Website

Explore the Wood Studio

With a dedicated building to all things wood, the John Jordan Wood Building, it should come as no surprise that our wood workshops have developed a bit of a reputation for being the best of the best. A dedicated woodturning studio, machine room, and woodworking studio offer a wide range of equipment and options for students and instructors alike. From woodturning to furniture making, greenwood appliques to carving, the sky is the limit for what our wood workshops can do.

Explore the Wood Studio