Tom Becker is an avid woodworker with 47 years of experience. He is a Marine Veteran and is also a graduate of the Woodworking for Warriors Program. His specializations include Intarsia, Carving, Woodturning, and the ancient Japanese preservation technique Shou Sugi Ban .

Intarsia is a woodworking technique that uses varied shapes, sizes, and species of wood fitted together to create a mosaic-like picture with an illusion of depth. Shou sugi ban is a particularly striking method of preserving wood by charring it with fire. Traditionally, this practice is used with Japanese cedar in order to weatherproof it. The wood is burned until the surface is charred, and then coated with natural oil. Tom will also be providing demonstrations on his unique flag carving and finishing techniques throughout the festival. You can also check out Tom’s next Shou Sugi Ban flag carving class here.