Fw: German Masterclass

["birgit" <flowerfish@zzzzzzz>]

First, My name is Birgit Grapentin and I am new to the list. I live in Brisbane/Australia.  In the moment I just started to carve aerated concrete and would like to carve stone too - so I am a real newbee ;-))

Hi Simon,

To become a stonemason master in Germany you need a finished 3 year apprenticeship as a stonemason/sculptor ( in the last year of apprecticeship you can specialise as a stonemason or as a sculptor ) or you need a finished apprecticeship in a profession where you have to work with stone.
After your apprecticeship you had to have 3 years workexperience. From 01.01.2004 this condition has been waived.

A mandatory condition to be selfemployed and to train apprentices as a stonemason you need to become a qualified master. The test for the master has therefore also written business related exams ( accounting etc. ) and of course another written theoretical exam.
In the practical part you are able to decide to create a sculptor or a stonemason piece. Before you can start with carving you have to make a draft and a commision will decide if it can be accepted as a masterpiece. If it has been accepted you have 80 hours to finish the piece.  If your masterpiece is a sculptor you have to show also in a 2 days workshop your skills as a stonemason and vice versa. The masterexam will finish with an oral test ( 1-2 hours ) where you will get the final note.........

Birgit