Introduction to Laser Cutting & Engraving Workshop

Join us for the Introduction to Laser Cutting and Engraving Workshop at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture!

Learn how to prepare files and drawings for a Glowforge laser printer at Pine Meadow Ranch! In this one-day workshop, we will learn about the laser cutting & engraving machine and practice making drawings for the Glowforge. Using both computer-based and hand drawn methods for image-making, this workshop will focus on basic techniques for successful laser cutting and engraving. Participants will learn about how to order their cut layers, draw for stability in the cut bed, and design 2D parts for 3D space. They will receive demonstrations of the laser cutter and have the opportunity to practice operating the machine. Each participant will leave with several cut samples of their drawings in multiple materials including acrylic, wood, and paper.

Schedule of activities:

• 10:00 a.m. — Arrive at the ranch; information about the Glowforge and laser cutters
• 10:30 a.m. — Demo laser cutting process
• 11:00 a.m. — Demo file prep methods
• 11:30 a.m. — File prep for 5 different samples
• 12:30 p.m. — Break for lunch (please bring your own lunch)
• 1:00 p.m. — Begin laser cutting and etching samples and continue prepping/correcting files
• 2:30 p.m. — Collect completed samples and discuss results
• 3 p.m. — Depart

Materials to Bring:

• Laptop or Tablet with - a drawing program already installed (Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Sketchbook, etc.). Choose a device and program you are comfortable using to make black and white drawings. The device needs to be able to export your drawings as PDF files. The device needs to be able to connect to the internet.
• File transfer method (thumb drives, email attachments, Google Drive uploads are all acceptable)

*Participants who do not have a laptop/tablet should still feel welcome to join this workshop. It is not necessary to have this equipment. Instead, your samples can be drawn by hand and cut in the machine.

About the Instructor:

is a multidisciplinary artist based primarily in Oregon in the United States. Corbin received an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Fiber and BFA from Oregon State University. Her research-based practice moves fluidly between drawing, writing, sculpture, textiles, and natural dyeing. Corbin’s work is informed by her participation in the New York Arts Practicum, immersive study in Greece, and as an artist-in-residence and research assistant in a chemistry lab where she helped to synthesize and characterize a new blue. Corbin recently authored The Stuff of Everyday Magic, a book about her research adventures into the color blue. Her work has been supported in the form of residencies at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, The Bloedel Reserve Creative Residency in Research, Prairie Ronde Artist Residency, Pine Meadow Artist Residency, and The League of Stars. Corbin’s work has been recognized by awards including a fellowship to attend Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in 2019, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Emerging Artist Award bestowed by Cranbrook Academy of Art, Honorable Mention for the 2020 Dorothy Waxman International Textile Design Award, and the 2020 Redmond Design Prize. In 2022-2023, Corbin was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to pursue a research and arts project about textile traditions and contemporary craft in Greece.

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Cancellation Policy:

$20 cancellation fee

Less than 1 week before workshop: 0% refund

7-14 Days before workshop, 50% refund

Full refunds will be given if PMRCAA cancels the event due to inclement weather, or if the instructor cannot teach the workshop.

All workshop cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected]

Host or Publisher Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture