Scroll down for the 2027, class schedule.
The Hand Engraving Retreat and Expo (T.H.E.R.E. for short)
May 21-23, 2027 Fri-Sun
The 2026 T.H.E.R.E. (The Hand Engraving Retreat and Expo) was a fantastic success. SOOOOO we are doing it again. The 2027 T.H.E.R.E. will be held May 21-23. The event will be held at the Arcadia Academy campus once again.
The agenda includes engraving related presentations by experienced people in their area. The used tool swap was a great success the first time around so we will be doing that again. We will have door prizes. Engraving tool vendors will be there. Last year this was the largest gathering of engravers in the United States. T.H.E.R.E. is a fantastic opportunity to network, talk shop, and friend other engravers. No matter whether you are a rank beginner, expert or just interested in the art, there is something T.H.E.R.E. for you!
We are doing a few things different in 2027. One thing we are doing is offering pre-orders on THERE t-shirts. If you want a shirt at the event add $20 to the registration fee and let Ray know what size you want to order. The 2027 Shirts will be blue with gold print.
Instead of wrist bands we are doing lanyards with your name on it.
Another new thing for 2027 is that Ray will be teaching an intermediate/advanced 5 day class on designing, laying out, and engraving Ray’s style of Arabesque Scroll. You have to opportunity to come to THERE and stay for the class in one trip. details on this class are listed below.
A $100 registration is required. To register contact Ray Cover at cover@sbcglobal.net. When you register Ray needs your name, email,& phone. If you would like to share your social media accounts please include that as well.
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.
2027 Cost: $1,100 $250 nonrefundable deposit required to reserve a spot in a class.
March 1-5, 2027 Mon-Fri
April 3-7, 2027 Sat-Wed
June 21-25, 2027 Mon-Fri
July 12-16, 2027 Mon-Fr
Aug 23-27, 2027 Mon-Fri
Sept 13-17, 2027 Mon-Fri
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.
2027 Cost: $1,100 $250 nonrefundable deposit required to reserve a spot in class
April 26-29, 2027 Mon-Fri
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.
March 15-17, 2027 Mon-Wed
Cost: $650 $100 nonrefundable 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 .
March 18-20, 2027 Thur-Sat
Cost $650 $100 nonrefundable deposit reserves a spot in the class
Three Day Sculpting Workshop
Cost: $650 $100 deposit reserves a spot
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.
March 21-23, 2027 Sun-Tues
Cost: $650 $100 nonrefundable deposit reserves a spot
Bulino Scenery and Background Engraving Class
This Bulino class is very different than the Three day Bulino workshop that I teach. This class focuses specifically on techniques for creating background scenes and landscape scenery using various techniques. Single point techniques, Liner techniques and Dot techniques will all be used to create scenery in this class. we will cover grass, trees, water, reeds, clouds, and more.
May 3-7, 2027 Mon-Fri
Cost: $1,100 $100 nonrefundable deposit reserves a spot
Designing and Engraving Arabesque Scroll Class
This class will follow directly after The Hand Engraving Retreat and Expo. The class will cover drawing, layout, and engraving Ray’s style of Arabesque Scroll. This will be an intermediate to advanced level class. Students in this class will not copy Ray’s example but actually layout and cut their own design. The focus of this class is to teach students to design and cut their own design.
May 24-28, 2027 Mon-Fri
Cost: $1,100 $250 nonrefundable 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.
July 26-30, 2027 Mon – Fri
Cost: $1,100 $250 nonrefundable deposit is required to reserve a spot in class
Fountain Pen Engraving Class
I am excited to announce this class! Tim Cullen (of Hooligan Pens) and I have worked together to make this class happen. This will be an intermediate to advanced class. Students need to be able to sharpen gravers and have decent tool control to be successful in this class.
Tim Cullen is making handmade pens for each student in this class. Students will be able to engrave their own handmade fountain pen. There will be three designs to choose from ranging from intermediate to more advanced level designs. Each student will be able to choose which of the three designs they want to engrave on their pen. Ray will be doing demonstrations and examples of each design during the class.
The pens that Tim is making for us would normally retail for around $1,000 to $1,200 if you custom ordered one from him. The pens have a copper body and a steel nib. Each pen comes with the same Certificate Of Authenticity that Tim gives with each of his custom pens. He is giving me a very special deal on this group of pens which allows me to offer the class for $1,500. We cannot offer this every year. Tim has a 2 year waiting list on custom pen orders and cannot work this in on a regular basis. This is a one time event for 2027. If you miss this one, you missed it, it won’t be happening again.
Oct 4-8, 2027 Mon-Fri
Cost; $1,500 $350 nonrefundable deposit reserves a spot in the class.
Advanced Flare Cutting Class 2026
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
