Maine School of Masonry

Masonry students construction work begins on Western Maine Play Museum

Posted by Bobbie Hanstein • April 19, 2016 •

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On April 13, Steve Mitchell of the Maine School of Masonry in Avon, and Craig Hutchinson of Scott Taylor Construction in Wilton, began the excavations for the brick walls’ footing for a courtyard to be located in front of the museum building.

Two days later, Haley Concrete poured about 28 cubic yards of concrete into the trenches, which were about three feet deep. Mitchell and two of his masonry students, Drake Daniels and Ian James, smoothed the cement as it was poured.

Mitchell and his students will soon begin bricklaying for the courtyard wall, donating their labor. Mitchell has helped guide the WMPM board about the design of the courtyard. More than 90 bricks, each engraved with a personal message, have been sold to area individuals and businesses to help fund the project.

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Masonry students complete community project

Maine School of Masonry in the Irregular

Photo: Sam Freij, Karen Freeman, Drake Daniels, Ian James, Tyler Kachnovich and Cole Jandreau complete the project by cleaning up the bricks.

FARMINGTON — Maine School of Masonry students completed a community project at Living Waters Assembly of God on the Wilton Road.

Students helped design and build a beautiful brick sign planter. The school’s instructor Steve “Mitch” Mitchell added the three cross design. Morin Bricks of Auburn donated the bricks that were used for the sign.

Six students from the school spent three days building the sign and the fourth day cleaning the bricks. These types of projects allow the students to work in the community and use materials that they are learning about using in school.

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Learning a skill

Learning a skill at Maine School of Masonry

By BJ Bangs Irregular Staff Writer from the article HERE.

Screen Shot 2017-05-25 at 11.09.55 AM September means back to school, and students at Maine School of Masonry in Avon are no exception. Owner Steven Mitchell, pictured here, points out that once they complete the nine-month course, they will be equipped with a trade —one that is wide open, he said. (BJ Bangs photo)

AVON — September marks back to school, and for students at Maine School of Masonry in Avon, once they complete the nine-month course, they will be equipped with a trade —one that is wide open to those that want to “really become good at it,” said Steve Mitchell, owner and operator of the school.

Fewer and fewer people are becoming masons, he said, much because it is a very physically demanding job. On the upside, he said, it’s very creative, and something that can last through history. Stone work has existed since the days of the pyramids. “It’s a really good program for the right kids… But they need to be motivated, and want to go out and find the contractors, become apprentices, and find the jobs,” he said. Continue reading “Learning a skill”