Fall 2026 Workshop Schedule

October 3-4, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday)

Two-day!

at Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, KY

This two-day dry stone masonry workshop, October 3-4 (Saturday-Sunday), will take place at Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, KY. Participants will receive instruction on a wall on the historic Maker’s Mark Distillery campus. This workshop will be led by DSC/DSWA Master Craftsman, Neil Rippingale.

Participants will see that many wonderful dry stone structures on site, including the double barrel bridge that participants will be working near.

A distillery tour and tasting will follow the workshop. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a little bit at Maker’s Mark.

Below is an example of the daily agenda:

DAY ONE:

8:30a - Classroom session and presentation covering the basics and fundamentals, safety, and what you can expect for the rest of the workshop. Coffee and donuts provided.

10:30a - Review of basics, on-site. Tear down section of wall, prepare site for foundation, lay proper foundation.

12p - Lunch, provided

1p - Setting up frames and lines, begin build

4p - Review / Q and A

DAY TWO:

8:30a - Review of previous day, finish build (if needed), start new section

12p - Lunch, provided

1p - Finish second section

4p - Review / Q and A / Course Evaluations

Introductory Workshops are designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of dry stone construction techniques. The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall.

Payments are refundable (less a $25 cancellation fee) only if we hear from you at least two weeks prior to the first day of your workshop. Deposits and payments are otherwise nonrefundable.

During the two days (Wed-Thurs, November 4-5), participants will work with limestone to build a short retaining wall on top of a projecting foundation course.  Participants will also build a drystone wallhead.  Instruction will be based on the internationally-accepted specifications required to pass Dry Stone Conservancy's Level 1 Professional Certification exams.  Although some stone shaping techniques will be covered, the goal will be to learn how to lay stone with only minimal hammering and chiseling.   Certification exams to follow on November 6.

Payments are refundable (less a $25 cancellation fee) only if we hear from you at least two weeks prior to the first day of your workshop.  Deposits and payments are otherwise nonrefundable. 

Introductory Workshops are designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of dry stone construction techniques.  The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall. Below is a rough example of the two-day itinerary.

DAY ONE:

8:30a - Classroom session and presentation covering the basics and fundamentals, safety, and what you can expect for the rest of the workshop. Coffee and donuts provided.

10:30a - Review of basics, on-site. Tear down section of wall, prepare site for foundation, lay proper foundation.

12p - Lunch, provided

1p - Setting up frames and lines, build first lift, prepare tie stones

4p - Review / Q and A

DAY TWO:

8:30a - Review of previous day, start on second lift

12p - Lunch, provided

1p - Finish second lift, install cover stones and coping stones

4p - Review / Q and A / Course Evaluations

This introductory workshop will be held at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg, Kentucky.  Workshop participants will rebuild a section of a historic retaining wall on this beautiful nature preserve which has more than 24 miles of historic rock fences and dry stone masonry. For on-site lodging and more information about Shaker Village, go to The Inn - Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (shakervillageky.org)

November 14-15, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday)

Payments are refundable (less a $25 cancellation fee) only if we hear from you at least two weeks prior to the first day of your workshop.  Deposits and payments are otherwise nonrefundable. 

December 11-12, 2026 (Friday-Saturday)

Two-day!

Houlton, Wisconsin!

Two-day introductory workshop December 11-12, 2026 (Friday-Saturday) at Rivard Stone in Houlton, Wisconsin. Participants will build a new dry stone wall. This workshop will be led by DSC Journeyman and certified instructor, Daniel Arabella.

Below is an example of the daily agenda:

DAY ONE:

8:30a - Classroom session and presentation covering the basics and fundamentals, safety, and what you can expect for the rest of the workshop. Coffee and donuts provided.

10:30a - Review of basics, on-site. Prepare site for foundation, lay proper foundation.

12p - Lunch, not provided

1p - Setting up frames and lines, build first lift, prepare tie stones

4p - Review / Q and A

DAY TWO:

8:30a - Review of previous day, start on second lift

12p - Lunch, not provided

1p - Finish second lift, install cover stones and coping stones

4p - Review / Q and A / Course Evaluations

Introductory Workshops are designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of dry stone construction techniques. The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall.

Our workshop partner, Rivard Stone, is a Wisconsin/Minnesota stone supplier. They’ve been the area’s top supplier since 1960. We are grateful to collaborate with such experts.

Payments are refundable (less a $25 cancellation fee) only if we hear from you at least two weeks prior to the first day of your workshop. Deposits and payments are otherwise nonrefundable.