Scroll down for the 2025, 2026 class schedule.
NOTE: I am in the process of building a new website that will replace this one. The new site will be a lot more user friendly, will allow students to sign up for classes with the click of a button, and pay deposits with a variety of methods. Until that site is finished I will still be using this one. The remaining 2025 classes as well as the 2026 classes are listed below. Please check to make sure whether the class you are interested in is a 2025 or a 2026 class. As of Jan 1, 2026 class deposits will be nonrefundable and nontransferable to a future class.
The Hand Engraving Retreat and Expo (T.H.E.R.E. for short)
June 26-28, 2026 Fri-Sun
Before we get to the list of scheduled classes, School of Fine Art Engraving is very happy to announce a new engraving event in 2026. The Hand Engraving Retreat and Expo is going to be the engraving event of the year. Here is part of what is happening. We have 10 presenters doing seminars 2 Friday, 4 Saturday, and 4Sunday. As of now, the list of confirmed presenters include Ray Cover, Jesse Kaufman, Wade Wilson, Richard Quecke, Reid Smith, Teresa Kiplinger, Kelly McCrea, and John Cook.
Wade Wilson will also be premiering his movie about L.D. Nimschke at 7:00 that Saturday evening. There will be a used engraving tool swap. If you have engraving related stuff to barter bring it along. Tool venders are also being invited to display, promote, and sell the latest in engraving equipment. Display tables will be available to attendees to display past or current projects … and more. Our goal is to grow this into the largest and best quality engraving related event in this country. The event will be held on the Arcadia Academy campus in Arcadia, Missouri. More information will be posted when the new website is finished and posted.
A $100 registration is required. Wristbands will be given to attendees when they check in at the event. To register contact Ray Cover at cover@sbcglobal.net
Five Day Basic Engraving Classes
This is my entry level class designed for novice beginners. This class is also for experienced engravers who want a refresher course or a different point of view from an experienced full time bench engraver.
Oct 13-17, 2025 Mon-Fri
Nov 3-7, 2025 Mon-Fri
2025 Cost: $1,000 $250 deposit required to reserve a spot in a class.
March 2-6, 2026 Mon-Fri
June 17-21, 2026 Wed-Sun
Aug 3-7, 2026 Mon-Fri
Sept 14-18, 2026 Mon-Fr
Oct 19-23, 2026 Mon-Fri
2026 Cost: $1,100 $250 deposit required to reserve a spot in class
Intermediate Level Engraving Class
Once the basic skills are practiced enough to have control of them the student is encouraged to move forward and take an intermediate level class. To be successful in this class a student must have enough tool control to cut a line to desired depth/width with control and have an understanding of cutting basic scroll patterns.
July 27-31, 2026 Mon-Fri
2026 Cost: $1,100 $250 deposit required to reserve a spot in class
Flare Cut Engraving Class
This is the first of three classes in a block of classes. I put these three classes together in case anyone wanted to take all three in one trip to the school. Focusing on flare cutting is what this class is all about. What is covered in the class? Glad you ask. Here we focus on getting a good start on flare cutting; basic leaf construction options, scroll spine construction options, various scroll head terminations will also be covered.
April 13-17, 2026 Mon-Fri
Cost $650 $100 deposit reserves a spot
Engraving Western Flowers Class
The popularity of bits and spurs and other cowboy arts on the engraving scene now days has inspired me to offer this three day class. This class will focus on engraving western style flowers such as the ones used in many of the classic leather work patterns. Do you like the flower designs of tried and true leather workers like Al Stoleman? Well come to this class and learn how to cut them and incorporate them into your engraving designs.
April 18-20, 2026 Sat-Mon
Cost $650 $100 deposit reserves a spot
Sculpting Western Flowers Class
This offering is another three day western flower class with a twist. If you want to take the flowers we did in the Engraving Western Flowers to the next level, come to this class and learn to sculpt them in 3-D. This has many applications on overlays and other areas of cowboy art items.
April 21-23, 2026 Tues-Thurs
Cost $600 $100 deposit reserves a spot
Ring Engraving class
Want an intensive five day class that covers everything about engraving rings? Then this is the class for you. This class covers various ring engraving patterns, how to divide rings up into equal sections, ring holding options, flare/bright cutting rings, line cutting rings, borders, and more.
May 19-23, 2026 Mon – Fri
Cost: $1,100 $250 deposit is required to reserve a spot in class.
Engraving for Printmaking Class
This class will be geared toward anyone at any experience level who wants to learn to engrave a printing plate and print it. We will cover everything from plate prep, to engraving the plate, to printing the finished plate. This is a five day class so the format will be small to ensure we have enough time to finish. Students will have to bring their own designs already planned out/drawn so we do not have to use precious class time on coming up with a design. The format needs to be no larger than 2″x3″. Students will be allowed to work with whatever tools they may be accustomed to from hand push burins to pneumatic handpieces. If you have no engraving experience it would be helpful to take one of the Basic Engraving Classes prior to this. I will have both copper and soft steel plate material to make plates from.
May 25-29, 2026 Mon-Fri
Cost: $1,100 $250 deposit required to reserve a spot in class.
Three Day Sculpting Workshop
This is basically a sculpted oak leaf and sculpted scrollwork class. This class covers the tools and techniques required to sculpt three dimensional engraving designs. We cover making the gravers and punches needed, how to move and shape the metal being sculpted, practical and efficient ways to finish the sculpted surfaces, and much more.
July 18-20, 2026 Sat-Mon
Cost: $650 $100 deposit reserves a spot
Three Day Inlay Engraving Class
This engraving class covers various metal inlay techniques. Sheet inlay, wire inlay, twisted wire inlay, and multi-metal inlay are all covered in this workshop.
July 21-23, 2026 Tues-Thurs
Cost: $650 $100 deposit reserves a spot
Three Day Bulino Engraving class
The three day bulino workshop is a techniques based class. In this class I cover how to create various textures, such as animal fur, hair, fish scales, bird feathers as well as shading and techniques in the process of bulino engraving animals .
July 24-26, 2026 Fri-Sat
Cost $650 $100 deposit reserves a spot in the class
Advanced Flare Cutting Class
This class explores more intricate scroll designs as flare cut scrolls. Here you will be learning to cut German Black Leaf and Victorian Floral styles in the flare cutting method.
Nov 2-6, 2026 Mon-Fri
Cost $1,100 $250 deposit reserves a spot in the class
Private Instruction
Ray provides private instruction as well as group classes. The advantages of private instruction are that the content can be customer tailored to the students needs. It can also be scheduled for a time that works for both the student and Ray. There are two prices for private instruction.
Note: As of Jan 1, 2026 a nonrefundable deposit of $250 will be required to set up a private instruction.
Cost: $625 per day or $2,750 for a five day block of time
Semi Private Instruction
Semi private instruction is structured the same way as private instruction but it is for two people. This works well for two family members, two co-workers, or two friends who are both interested in engraving.
Note: As of Jan 1, 2026 a nonrefundable deposit of $250 will be required to set up a semi private instruction.
Cost: $750 per day or $3,000 for a five day block of time
