Workshop instructors

Alain Mailland

Studied at the Cergy-Pontoise School of Decorative Arts near Paris. After attending a woodturning course, he began making his own thin-walled vessels and lampshades from green wood. His trademark became sculptures reminiscent of botanical plants or marine creatures. His works are exhibited in galleries in Europe, the USA and Australia.

Anne-Katrine Schmidt

After attending the Technical University of Hanover, where she graduated with a journeyman's certificate as a carpenter, Anne-Katrine Schmidt attended the Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Department of Design. After graduating, she trained as a restorer at the Instituto per L`Arte E ll Restauro in Florence. Mrs Schmidt has been working as a freelance restorer in Hanover since 1989.

Arno Buck

Arno Buck sets the highest standards for all his craftsmanship, including his hobbies of leatherworking and knife-making. It was through sewing knife sheaths that he discovered his passion for leatherworking, which has stayed with him ever since. He produces his projects, often combined with braiding work, in a clear, modern design, often using special materials.

Christopher Schwarz

He built his first workbench at the age of eight. As a teenager, he and his father built two houses on his parents' farm in Hackett, Arkansas, using almost exclusively hand tools. The trained journalist has retained his passion for hand tools: as a respected woodworker and author of the magazine Popular Woodworking, he combines his hobby and profession.

Ernst Maier

As a self-employed master carpenter, Ernst Maier runs a small, creative one-man workshop in Upper Austria. For over 10 years, he has been passionate about building wildwood furniture based on the shapes of nature. His work is characterised above all by the combination of wildwood and classic solid wood techniques.

Ernst Schoiswohl

The best scythes in the world are known to come from Austria. In Rossleithen in the Kremstal valley in Upper Austria, the traditional company Schröckenfux has been producing scythes for 450 years that are precisely tailored to their intended use. Who could be more competent to teach how to sharpen and sharpen scythes and sickles than master craftsman Ernst Schoiswohl, who has been working at the world-famous scythe forge for over 30 years?

Franz Roth

Franz Roth Trained as an industrial mechanic, he underwent further training and subsequently passed his master craftsman's examination to become an interior decorator. He also completed a degree in interior design restoration at Raesfeld Castle. He has been successfully running his own restoration workshop with upholstery since 2014. He is a member of the master craftsman examination committee at the HWK Lower Bavaria/Upper Palatinate.

Garrett Hack

The internationally renowned cabinetmaker with a penchant for enchanting details is the author of two books (The Handplane Book and Classic Hand Tools), teaches a wide variety of woodcraft subjects in the USA, Canada, UK and Japan and runs a small farm in Vermont/USA. His furniture projects have been recognised in numerous magazines and books. He is a contributor to Fine Woodworking magazine.

Günter Bleicher

He grew up in the Upper Palatinate and after training as a boilermaker, he went on a traditional travelling journey that took him through numerous European countries, yes, even to New Zealand. Whilst travelling, he became acquainted with the fascination of forging on an open fire with an anvil, which never left him and he would like to pass this enthusiasm and these techniques on to you in his courses. In 2000, he set up his own business as a steel sculptor in his forge and studio, where he produces customised and unique pieces of all kinds.

Günther Friese

The passionate woodturner, master carpenter and freelance artist has made it his mission to keep traditional craft techniques alive. He has been teaching beginners and advanced woodturning for several years. In the DICTUM woodturning workshop, he shares his enthusiasm for the magical material of wood and his enormous wealth of experience with you.

Hauke Schmidt

Master carpenter Hauke Schmidt lives and works in Cologne. When he is not building furniture according to his own designs, he teaches how to work with solid wood. The spectrum ranges from hobby courses to masterclasses for carpenters. For him, teaching and learning are two sides of the same coin. He loves doing both. And occasionally he makes art out of roof battens.

Heiko Pulcher

A trained carpenter and qualified designer, Heiko Pulcher has always been passionate about wood and traditional craft techniques. Before joining DICTUM, he worked as a freelance author for several woodworking magazines. In addition to his own course topics, he accompanies numerous premium courses as a translator and with a video camera.

Heinrich Koch

Heinrich Koch learnt the age-old craft from his father. Even as a twelve-year-old, he worked enthusiastically in his parents' shingle workshop and has perfected this craft over the course of his life. Since 1978, Heinrich Koch has been working for the Ott wood shingle making company as the world's best wood shingle maker.

Herbert Ritter

It all began with the construction of customised saddles, followed by many years as a bagmaker at Hermès in Paris, and then others as a product developer and manager in the fashion industry. Today, after almost 30 years of professional experience, the master saddler and bagmaker is passionate about preserving traditional, manual working techniques. Hand stitching, clear shapes, function and quality take centre stage.

Jakob Adam

A trained musician, Jakob has been fascinated by fire and steel since he was 10 years old. He has his workshop on his farm in the district of Regen, where he mainly makes kitchen and outdoor knives from high-performance Blade structure. But he also forges axes and other tools there from multi-layer steel or mono steel with a centre layer. His aim is always to create a unique piece that meets the highest standards.

Jakob Aster

Learned the carpentry trade in a small carpentry workshop where great importance was attached to manual and detailed work. In his hobby carpentry workshop, he makes furniture from solid wood, processes valuable woods in combination with epoxy resin and turns filigree writing instruments and spice mills. His main commitment is to nature conservation and the construction of dwellings for species-appropriate beekeeping. Mr Aster has been part of the DICTUM team since 2016.

John Lloyd

For twenty years, John Lloyd has specialised in the restoration of antique furniture in Sussex, England. He works for numerous private clients as well as for Sothebys, Christies and St Paul's Cathedral. He passes on his extensive knowledge in courses and as an author for Woodworking Magazine. His book "Furniture Restoration: A Professional at Work" contains a collection of his highly regarded articles.

Jonas Mumm

He began making hand-sewn individual pieces from leather while studying architecture. In 2016, Jonas was able to take over a leather shop in Regensburg, which he converted and expanded into a leather workshop. In 2018, he co-founded the company "THANN-Bioleder", for which the founders were honoured by the German government as "Creative Pilots". For THANN, Jonas and his colleague have established a consistent production chain from an organic farm to a family-run vegetable tanning business to the workshop in Regensburg, where Jonas' straightforward and functional products are handmade.

Josef Eder

Josef Eder learnt the craft of basket weaving for three years in the 1950s and completed his training with a journeyman's examination. He then practised this craft for many years at a basket weaving company until - due to the changing times - this craft fell into oblivion. However, he has never stopped weaving baskets in his spare time and has even appeared on television in "The last of his profession - the basket weaver". Today, he mainly makes his baskets for museums and markets.

Josef Neumeier

As a trained carpenter, Josef Neumeier became interested in wood at an early age. His passion for the mountains then took him to his adopted home, the Berchtesgaden region. There he learnt the profession of violin maker, which he completed in 2015 with the State Prize. He is particularly interested in repairing stringed instruments.

Jimmy Clewes

His charming British style, creative mind and engaging personality make him a firm favourite in woodturning circles. He is a member of the Professional Woodturners in England and the American Association of Woodturners. The Englishman lives in Las Vegas where he runs a woodturning school. For over 23 years he has worked as a woodturner and freelance instructor worldwide, including in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Jörg Steinhauer

Whether he is building surrealist furniture, carving a Gothic altarpiece or executing a commissioned work for conceptual artist Jeff Koons - the trained master carpenter, master sculptor and craft teacher explores the sculptural design possibilities of wood with great curiosity, crossing the boundary between art and craft. His courses are right at the top of the popularity scale!

Jürgen Graßler

The trained metalworker set up his own blacksmith's shop in the Upper Palatinate after his traditional travelling through Europe. For some time now, he has specialised in historical replicas, especially tools and weapons. True to the motto "a blacksmith learns all his life", he experiments with traditional superstructures and welded composite steels and uses them to create his own modern style.

Jürgen Rosinski

He is a passionate blacksmith, knifemaker and author. In his book "Knife-making for beginners" and in his workshop "Simply forge", he proves that beautiful and sharp blades can be produced with minimal use of materials and tools and invites you to join in.

Kanjuro Shibata XXI

In 1994, Kanjuro Shibata XXI was officially awarded the title of "Imperial Master Bowmaker" as the adopted son and successor of Kanjuro Shibata XX. Since then, he has continued the legacy of this bow-making family in the 21st generation. In addition to building Kyudo bows in his father's workshop in Kyoto, he also acts as a teacher at the Heki-Ryu Bishu Chikurin-Ha school in Europe.

Katja Dapous

Internationally active master cabinetmaker Katja Dapous has an exceptional profile in surface treatment and restoration. Her career began in workshops in Munich and Berlin; she also worked for Steinway & Sons in Munich. She gained international experience early on through trade fair work in Tokyo and later through formative years in Glasgow and Oxford, where she taught furniture making and restoration. In London, she headed the restoration department at Steinway & Sons and worked for international clients, including the palace of the Sultan of Oman. Projects such as the construction of traditional dugout canoes in Mozambique also testify to her versatility as a craftswoman. She combines the highest level of craftsmanship with many years of teaching experience and treats learners with patience, respect and the joy of working together.

Kirstin Length

Preserving the construction, restoring the usability and regenerating the surfaces of antique furniture is Kirstin Length's top priority. In her own workshop, the trained carpenter, woodturner and restorer is dedicated entirely to the restoration and preservation of historical and solidly crafted pieces.

Konrad von Liebieg

As a self-employed master carpenter, Konrad von Liebieg ran a small workshop on a four-sided farm in Angersdorf in Lower Bavaria. He has been interested in chair weaving for over 30 years - with a growing passion. His virtuosity when working on Viennese wickerwork or repairing ageing coffee house chairs can regularly be admired at craft markets in the region.

Kurt Stangl

The "Säumerbader" from Grafenau is an old-school master hairdresser who is right on trend. He consistently follows the traditional craftsmanship of his trade: wet shaving with a knife and haircuts with a knife, comb and scissors have been standard in his salon for 47 years. His passion for his profession and his enormous expertise make him the ideal teacher for anyone who wants to learn how to use a sharp blade.

Matthias Freymadl

The boat builder learnt his trade in a shipyard on Lake Chiemsee. Since then, he has focussed on wooden sailing boats. He also attended the Academy for Design in Crafts in Munich, from which he graduated with a master's award. He has been with DICTUM for a few years now and, as a member of the workshop team, shares his enthusiasm for boatbuilding and carpentry with the course participants.

Matthias Lehr

The trained goldsmith likes to add playful elements to his hand-forged and cast utility objects of purist functionality, which are only visible at second glance. He runs a workshop for utensils and jewellery in Nuremberg. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg, he is a lecturer at the Advanced Training Centre for Goldsmiths in Ahlen and at the Koblenz Chamber of Crafts.

Melanie Kirchlechner

The carpenter, restorer and sculptor is particularly keen to work as freely as possible with wood. She encourages and supports her course participants in making their wooden dreams come true! As a specialist author, she also regularly provides insights into her creative work.

Michal Hanula

Designer, lecturer and one of the most important representatives of free-style design in Slovakia. A graduate of the Faculty of Arts, Kosice University of Technology, he has been teaching at the University of Applied Arts in Ruzomberok since 2005. He is known for his works in wood. He creates his works using traditional craft techniques, including recycled materials, wire, horn and plastics.

Nick Kroll

Nick Kroll grew up in a farming family where the principle was: why buy when you can make it yourself? This philosophy of life still characterises him today. Anyone who turns their back on the consumer-driven buy-break-buy-buy cycle quickly discovers how much joy there is in making things yourself. Nick is a wood craftsman and makes furniture for his family - using traditional techniques and only hand tools. After moving from Minnesota to the Austrian Alps, he was missing one thing in particular: the milk paint (casein paint) that is commercially available in the USA. Then came the flash of inspiration - Austrian "Topfen" is nothing other than pure casein and therefore the perfect basis for fresh casein paint based on historical recipes. After mixing countless batches himself, he finally published Make Fresh Milk Paint - a guide to the production of fresh casein paint, published by Lost Art Press.

Pascal Oudet

The wood artist lives and works in the French Alps. He is known worldwide for his unique sandblasted objects, creating a warm weave of wood that emphasises the history of the tree used. His objects are exhibited in the collections of the Atelier d'Art de France, the American Association of Woodturners and the New York Museum of Art and Design.

Pauline Adler

After studying at the technical college for floral art in Weihenstephan and several further training courses at independent art academies, she has been working as a freelance artist and lecturer since 2007. She is fascinated by working in and with nature. As an environmental educator, she also works in the field of "LandArt" as a mediator of art and nature. She has been working with fresh willow for more than 30 years, enthusiastically developing new themes and drawing on traditional weaving techniques.

Peter Albert

The carpenter learnt his trade in a long-established company in South Baden. After passing his journeyman's and master craftsman's examinations, he has been working as an instructor at the Trade Academy of the Freiburg Chamber of Crafts since 1986. He specialises in project work, such as the construction of a medieval wheel crane for the exhibition "Baustelle Gotik - Das Freiburger Münster" on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of its completion.

Peter Lanz

While studying ethnology, the trained carpenter worked as a set builder at the Munich television studios. For many years, he worked as a freelance cabinetmaker at the Gewerkehalle in Munich and elsewhere. Matériau du manche have been passing on his extensive knowledge as a member of the DICTUM workshop team in courses on Japanese wood joinery.

Peter Wagensonner

As a trained master wood turner, he has been running his own studio since 1987. Sculptures and objects have accompanied the artist for more than 35 years. The trained woodturner produces vessels, urns, wooden spheres and even large sculptures from whole tree trunks. His connection to wood and trees inspires him in his search for Shape in Material. His works have been shown in numerous galleries, museums and exhibitions.

Philipp Schreistetter

Philipp Schreistetter was a self-employed carpenter for 30 years. He has been intensively involved in woodturning since 2012. He has attended masterclasses with Mike Tingey, Alfred Baumann and Martin Adomat and has continued to develop his skills ever since. He now wants to share his enthusiasm for woodturning, his knowledge and his experience with course participants. His greatest passion is pine wood, which he uses to turn a wide variety of vessels and utensils.

Ralph Pfersich

Over 3000 course participants on the subject of natural log construction make Ralph Pfersich a very experienced course instructor. But even when he is not teaching, he is dedicated to building log houses: detached houses, hunting lodges, carports, office buildings and large-scale projects have been built under his direction all over the world. He passes on his extensive expertise to his course participants with great enthusiasm.

Stefan Schindler

Stefan Schindler - Raised in Ansbach / Middle Franconia and Bechhofen an der Heide, he trained as a wood sculptor at the state vocational school for wood sculptors in Oberammergau from 2002 - 2005. From 2005 to 2011, he studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg and then at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Since 2011, he has also been a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg. He has also been running his own sculpture workshop in Nuremberg since 2012.

Stefan Stork

Stefan Stork lives and works in the heart of the Allgäu. After graduating from the master carpentry school, he studied interior design at the Fachakademie für Holzgestaltung in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and has been self-employed since 2010. He produces his wood-turned objects mainly from local woods in his small wood-turning workshop. For him, the fascination of wood-turning lies in the design, which begins where functionality ends. Following this principle, anything is possible if you master the "work of the hands".

Thomas Gstettenbauer

The chef and hotel manager is an enthusiastic wildlife fan and knows all about the anatomy of red and fallow deer. As a dedicated hunter, he looks after the largest deer reserve with over 200 animals in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park. Together with his family, he runs the award-winning Wild-Berghof farm in Bernried.

Thomas Steindl

The creative master carpenter is particularly interested in the natural processing of the magical material wood. He attends numerous training courses to constantly expand his artistic and technical repertoire. In addition to building traditional longbows, he is passionate about woodturning in many variations, preferably with green wood.

Tom Fidgen

Author, musician and designer living in Toronto, Canada, Tom Fidgen writes for magazines such as Popular Woodworking Magazine, Fine Woodworking Magazine and Canadian Woodworking Magazine. His first book "Made by Hand" is considered "The definitive book on woodworking with hand tools". Tom Fidgen teaches hand tool woodworking courses internationally.

Ulrich Blaut

The trained blacksmith, master metalworker, master designer and specialist teacher at Michelstadt Vocational College is able to pursue his passion for forging by hand both professionally and privately. He has set up a perfectly equipped forge at home. He is happy to pass on his expertise in working with red-hot steel, thus preventing the old craft from falling into oblivion.

Ulrike Scriba

Influenced by the arts and crafts tradition of her parents' home, Ulrike Scriba attended the Werkkunstschule Darmstadt. After numerous restoration projects, including in the Würzburg Residence, she discovered the art of marquetry for herself. Her sophisticated handcrafted objects, boxes, caskets and trays are now recognised in museums and galleries worldwide.

Werner Haböck

At a time when there were still many small breweries in Lower Bavaria, the craft of cooperage was golden. Today, Werner Haböck from Obergessenbach is the last cooper in the district of Deggendorf. As a former national winner in the craft, the likeable Lower Bavarian is a sought-after specialist for handmade barrels, tubs and tubs made of wood.

Wolfgang Messert

As a member of the DICTUM workshop team, Wolfgang Messert shares his enthusiasm for the carpentry trade with the course participants. He is particularly focussed on sharpening, and in numerous courses he ensures that tools and knives have sharp blades. But even in his free time, the master carpenter is passionate about wood and creates beautiful marquetry work.