Image: WORK IN PROGRESS. Model of the Notre-Dame de Paris roof framework, 1:10 scale, white oak, pictured here with Handshouse Studio: Notre-Dame Project workshop participants at the University of Georgia, Lamar Dodd School of Art in Athens, GA, Fall 2022.

Grab a chisel and explore the history of the Notre Dame de Paris cathedral

The Lamar Dodd School of Art sculpture area invites you to the Thomas Street Art Complex at UGA from February 5 - 9, 2024 to join the Handshouse Studio: Notre-Dame Project, an ongoing hands-on exploration of key features of the Gothic cathedral — no experience necessary. Supported by the Willson Center for Arts & Humanities and presented in partnership with non-profit Handshouse Studio, this week-long workshop — culminating in an exhibition and panel discussion — is returning to the school this spring after a previously successful collaboration with students and faculty in fall of 2022.

The Notre-Dame Project is an initiative that began in 2021, when Handshouse Studio led a team of experts and students in Washington, DC to begin reconstructing one of the trusses that once supported the great cathedral's roof, which was destroyed by fire in 2019.

Handshouse Studio is a non-profit, innovative, educational organization that creates adventurous hands-on projects through community service, building projects with partners around the world as a way to illuminate history, understand science, and perpetuate the arts.

Handshouse brought its La Forêt Model Workshop to the school in September and October 2022. Students participated in the crafting of a 1:10 scale white oak model of the intricate wooden roof framework of the Notre-Dame Choir, destroyed in the 2019 fire. That workshop and a corresponding public presentation were also presented in partnership with the Willson Center.

The project's leaders now return to the UGA campus for a new five-day workshop devoted to the ongoing project, capped by a public open studio event and panel conversation at the UGA Delta Innovation Hub on February 9 at 5 PM. Once again, any and all interested participants are invited to sign up to join the project at any point between February 5 - 9 from 9:30 AM - 4 PM (view schedule and details below) to delve into the craft and architectural study of creating the to-scale replica. 

Students, faculty, and friends will learn about the traditional woodworking methods imbued in this reconstruction, get to have exclusive access to detailed architectural plans and discuss the traditional and innovative practices behind rebuilding this world marvel in the 21st century alongside a team directly involved with reconstruction efforts. 

Handshouse Studio continues to build and exhibit the in-progress model around the country as part of the larger Notre Dame de Paris Truss Project, emphasizing —

“We believe collaboration is intrinsic to the effort to revive this iconic edifice and acknowledges the impact the loss of cultural heritage has on people around the world. The project is an educational community effort to celebrate traditional craftspeople, and an act of goodwill among neighbors in the enormous task of recovering lost cultural heritage.”

A WEEK OF EVENTS

Notre-Dame Project Workshop!

February 5th - 9th, 2024

WHAT: Participate in this immersive, hands-on experience. No experience necessary!

WHERE: University of Georgia, Lamar Dodd School of Art in Athens, GA. Thomas Street Art Complex (215 S. Thomas Street)

Join the MODEL REASSEMBLY PROCESS

Monday, February 5th: 9:00 - 11:00am

WHAT: Help assemble the intricate La Forêt Model and learn how you can help build it. 

WHERE: University of Georgia, Lamar Dodd School of Art in Athens, GA. Thomas Street Art Complex (215 S. Thomas Street)

Project orientations: Attend either one!

Monday, February 4th: 11:30am - 12:30pm or Tuesday, February 5th: 2:30 - 3:30pm

WHAT: Get oriented so that you can dive right into the workshop throughout the week.

WHERE: University of Georgia, Lamar Dodd School of Art in Athens, GA. Thomas Street Art Complex (215 S. Thomas Street)

Closing Presentation and Exhibition: THE GIFT OF REPAIR

How a gesture of global solidarity among makers became an embodied act of reconstruction across borders through the Handshouse Studio: Notre-Dame Project

Friday, February 9th

3:30pm - 4:30 pm — Open Studio Exhibition of Work-in Progress Model

4:30pm — Studio Welcome at Thomas Street Art Complex (215 S. Thomas Street)

5:00pm — Panel Presentation with Notre-Dame Project representatives at the Delta Innovation Hub (210 Spring St, Athens, GA 30602)

Click here to learn more about the presentation!

To attend, please RSVP to Willson Center Associate Director Winnie Smith at wsmith78@uga.edu