Instructors
Matt Richards
Ashland, OR
Matt’s been tanning and teaching natural hide tanning since 1989, inspired to make useful beautiful material from hides that too often go to waste. He’s the author of “Deerskins into Buckskins,” runs a tannery in Oregon, has kids, eats wild things, and swims in rivers.
Current Courses Offered by Matt Richards
Bark Tan Your Hide
Instructors:
Matt Richards
Make gorgeous leather with plant tannins. We’ll each tan one thin hide (goat, sheep, or deer)…
Wed, May 13th, 2026 – Sat, May 16th, 2026
9am-5pm each day
9am-5pm each day
Instructor:
Matt Richards
Natural Finishes for Bark Tan
Instructors:
Matt Richards
Finishing bark or vegetable-tanned leather is an art unto itself typically done by entirely separate…
Sun, May 17th, 2026
9am-5pm
9am-5pm
Instructor:
Matt Richards
Practical and Magical Chemistry of Natural Leather Tanning
Instructors:
Matt Richards
Natural tanning is an act of natural chemistry. Understanding that magic is fun, interesting and…
Mon, May 18th, 2026
9am-5pm
9am-5pm
Instructor:
Matt Richards