In a group of 4 participants, you will receive an introduction to manual stone carving. The foundation of this craft begins with learning to correctly carve a flat surface. During the workshop, you will receive brief information about types of stone, stone processing, and the contemporary development of the trade. You will learn to mark out and measure. Additionally, you will be introduced to the use of a hammer and chisel. The workshop introduces you to the material of stone and the manual technique for working with it. No prior knowledge is required. You will learn a skill. You will not take a finished product home.

Sebastien Vermeulen is a sculptor. This craft encompasses multiple techniques. The technique of stone carving is highlighted at the stand at Ambacht in Beeld. With stone carving, you can create flat stones, spheres, molding, geometric shapes—in short, anything with a technical plan. Once the technical plan is no longer relevant and we are dealing purely with form, volumes, light, and shadow, we speak of sculpting.

Sebastien Vermeulen is an independent sculptor, stonemason, portraitist, bronze caster, and artist. He creates sculptures in marble, bronze, and terracotta. He teaches ‘Sculptural Design’ at Vrije Academie Gent and carries out restorations on immovable heritage, architecture, and art patrimony. In 2024, he was a laureate of the SofinaBoël Fund for Education and Talent. As a result, in 2025, he spent a month and a half studying the human figure at Studio Della Statua in Florence and learned the mise-au-points technique at L’ Atelier De Sculpture (Soignies). His sculpture ‘Gabrielle’ (2025, marble) has been selected for the exhibition FACE 2026, organized by the Society of Portrait Sculptors in London.

This workshop is offered by Erfgoedcel Viersprong.