Slow down, feel the warmth of hand-carved timber, and listen to the quiet heartbeat of the forest
A three-hour parent-child workshop: shave the bark from branches gathered at KFBG and carve two owl totem pencils to take home.
Cut by cut, listening to the forest
Running alongside the Ripples & Pulses Between the Rings exhibition, this special parent-child workshop invites families into a world where trees and wildlife coexist. Together, parents and children embark on a journey of shared creation, tuning into the natural rhythm of the woods.
Using tree branches gathered during routine maintenance at KFBG, families begin by gently shaving away the bark. Step by step, you will carve owl totems, motifs inspired by the exhibition’s large-scale art installations, or other forest companions into the wood. Through this tactile process, children and adults alike can feel the true texture and weight of natural materials, discovering how fallen branches support life within the ecosystem as they transform into one-of-a-kind pencils.
More than a craft session, this is a heartwarming moment to bring ecological art into your home. Each parent-child pair will create two personalised owl totem pencils to take home. Every time your child picks up their pencil to write or draw, it becomes the start of a quiet conversation with nature – a gentle keepsake carrying memories of the Farm into daily life at home and school.
Through this shared woodcarving experience, we hope to nurture a deeper curiosity and love for nature in the next generation, allowing the “pulse of the forest” to resonate continuously in young hearts.
The artists
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Alvdalen | Justin Chan, Vivian Law
Alvdalen Atelier is co-founded by the wood carving artist couple, Justin Chan and Vivian Law. They believe every piece of wood carries its own unique living memory. Drawing on their interest in nature, animals and different cultures, they combine traditional carving techniques with their own creative approach to produce inclusive and warm wood sculptures.
They focus on bringing artistic sculpture together with everyday living aesthetics. For this year’s artist-in-residence programme, they are working with fallen trees at KFBG, transforming them through careful carving. Their aim is to encourage greater respect for both objects and the natural environment, helping people rediscover a gentler, more thoughtful way of living through the warm quality of wood. @alvdalen @bespecialshop
Date and time
Registration and enquiries
Before you book
- Fees are non-refundable once paid, except where the session is cancelled due to inclement weather.
Related links
- Kadoorie Earth Programme (KEP): an initiative co-created by KFBG and its network of collaborators and volunteers. By integrating the various strands of KFBG’s nature conservation, sustainable living and holistic education programmes, it provides life-transforming learning experiences that reconnect people with themselves, each other and the rest of nature and enable them to cultivate resilience in the face of global challenges.
- Nature Art Programmes: immerse yourself in silent contemplation of nature. Deepen your awareness of beauty and connect with nature through art. KFBG organises a variety of art workshops including Zentangle drawing, sketching and wood art, and exhibitions to guide participants, with or without artistic background, to create nature art.
- Nature Education Programmes: become animal detectives and explore the mysteries of wild animals. Use different senses to discover the beauty of plants. Learn about the significance of forest, trees and even soils through field visits, experiments and woodwork, to reconnect with nature.
- Group Guided Tours: led by trained environmental interpreters, the content includes experiential and hands-on activities. We encourage a passion for nature, conservation and ecology by nurturing an appreciation of the natural world.
- Corporate Programmes: our Holistic Education Department staff can design either half-day or full-day nature education and art programmes for corporate staff or their family members based on specific needs. Leveraging the unique natural landscape and cultural ambiance of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, our activities may include guided tours, farm-to-table experiences, nature-based workshops, talks and art activities, aiming to promote understanding and practice of sustainable living for organisations.
This workshop is part of Ripples & Pulses Between the Rings | Growth Ring x ALVDALEN Joint Woodcraft Exhibition.