Cherry Valley Artworks and The Timber Framers Guild
present
THE TIMBER FRAME WORKSHOP
July 10, 11, and 12
Cherry Valley Artworks is partnering with The Timber Framers Guild to construct a traditional timber-frame outdoor stage on the Cherry Valley Artworks campus next to the historic Star Theater. The project will take place as a three-day community timber-framing workshop where participants learn traditional joinery while helping build a permanent performance space for theater, music, lectures, and community events. The build will culminate in a public timber-frame raising celebration.
COURSE ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED TO 12 STUDENT/BUILDERS.
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For Student/Builders
Spots in this exciting workshop are limited to 12, so please don’t delay!
› Register Today
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For the Community
Observe the building of the timber-frame stage and join us on Saturday evening for a special talk and a chance to meet the instructor.
› Get More Information
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For Sponsors
Our timber-frame stage will be a legacy for the community, and we need your support to do it.
› Become a Sponsor
STUDENT/BUILDER REGISTRATION
Register Today — Spots are Limited!
Workshop Outline
Day 1 — Layout, Joinery Basics, and Cutting
Theme: “Understanding the frame.”
Morning (Orientation + Prep)
Instructors:
- Welcome, safety briefing (tools, lifting, PPE)
- Introduce timber framing principles:
- Post & beam system
- Mortise & tenon joinery
- Load paths for the stage roof
- Walk through the stage design (bents, bays, roof structure)
Participants:
- Get assigned to small crews (3–5 people)
- Learn to read plans and timber labels
- Practice layout techniques on sample beams
Late Morning (Layout Work Begins)
Instructors:
- Demonstrate:
- Marking mortises and tenons
- Use of framing square, story poles, and layout tools
Participants:
- Begin laying out joinery on actual timbers:
- Posts
- Beams
- Braces
Afternoon (Cutting & Shaping)
Instructors:
- Supervise tool use:
- Chisels, mallets, circular saws, drills, chainsaws (if used)
- Float between groups, correcting technique
Participants:
- Cut:
- Mortises in posts
- Tenons on beams
- Braces
- Start test-fitting joints
End-of-Day Goal:
- Majority of joinery laid out
- ~50–70% of cuts complete
- Participants understand the system
Day 2 — Final Joinery + Bent Assembly
Theme: “From parts to structure.”
Morning (Finish Cutting + Refinement)
Instructors:
- Troubleshoot joinery issues
- Demonstrate fine-tuning for tight fits
Participants:
- Complete all joinery
- Dry-fit joints on the ground
- Label and organize components
Midday (Bent Assembly Begins)
A “bent” = one vertical frame section
Instructors:
- Lead assembly of first bent as a demonstration
- Show proper peg installation (wooden joinery pins)
Participants:
- Assemble remaining bents in teams:
- Posts + beams + braces
- Drill peg holes and drive pegs
Afternoon (Pre-Raising Prep)
Instructors:
- Prepare rigging plan (ropes, braces, safety roles)
- Assign lifting roles
Participants:
- Help stage the site:
- Lay out bents in order
- Prep footing connections
- Organize tools and pegs
End-of-Day Goal:
- All bents assembled on the ground
- Ready for raising
- Participants understand how pieces fit structurally
Day 3 — Raising the Frame + Completion
Theme: “Bringing the structure to life.”
Morning (Frame Raising)
Instructors:
- Direct safe raising process
- Assign roles:
- Lift teams
- Pegging crew
- Stabilization crew
Participants:
- Raise bents one by one (community-style lift)
- Install:
- Temporary bracing
- Connecting beams (girts, plates)
Midday (Structure Lock-In)
Instructors:
- Ensure frame is plumb, square, and stable
Participants:
- Install:
- Ridge beam (if applicable)
- Final braces
- Remaining pegs
Afternoon (Stage Integration + Wrap-Up)
Instructors:
- Guide finishing tasks:
- Deck framing or platform integration
- Hardware tightening (if hybrid system)
Participants:
- Assist with:
- Final adjustments
- Sanding or light finishing (optional)
- Site cleanup
Closing Session
- Group reflection
- Photo of completed structure
- Q&A and next steps (roofing, decking, etc.)
End-of-Workshop Outcome
By the end of Day 3:
- The primary timber frame structure is standing
- Participants have:
- Laid out real joinery
- Cut and assembled structural members
- Helped raise a full frame
For the Community
Community members are invited to observe the building of the timber frame stage on the Artworks campus. Join us on Saturday evening for a chance to meet the instructors and for a special talk.
Saturday July, 11th The Star Theater — 44 Main Street — 7:30pm
Admission $20.00
Tickets may be purchased at the door.
COME MEET JACKSON DUBOIS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TIMBER FRAMERS GUILD
JACKSON WILL SPEAK ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE HELPING REBUILD NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
In 2023 Jackson spent three months working on the reconstruction of the spire of the 850 year-old Notre Dame de Paris in a workshop in the Loire Valley. He was one of a handful of Americans invited to work on the project. Jackson, who is guiding the Artworks timber framing project, will speak about his experience working with centuries-old tools using traditional methods to honor the original builders. Jackson lives in Central New York and has spent his career building and designing custom timber frames and doing architectural restoration work.
Community Sponsorship Opportunities
Be a part of bringing a new community venue to Cherry Valley. We envision the stage as a place for the whole community to gather, for local musicians to perform, poets to recite, kids to put on a play…even the smallest donation will help.
Sponsor a Peg – $10–$25 donation. Donors may engrave their name or dedicate a peg used in the timber frame.
Sponsor a Timber – $250–$500 donation. Sponsors recognized on project signage, on Artworks website and documentation.
Sponsor a Bent – $1,000+ donation. Major sponsors recognized during the frame-raising event, in promotional materials and on Artworks website as well as lifetime free admission to Artworks events.