Hands-on Houston: Soap Carving

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Houston, Texas
October 3, 2026

Join sculptor, woodworker, and current resident artist Arden Carlson to explore the wonders of carving!

Using a variety of carving tools and a bar of soap, create your own reductive sculpture. Reductive art is the process of removing parts of your base material to shape a form or design. As you remove parts of the soap, you will slowly reveal your design and hone your carving skills.

Carve a rectangular bar of soap into a fish, heart, or even an abstract shape. Soap is a wonderful introductory material for carving because it is soft and accessible for all ages. When you are finished, display your new sculpture or use it in the bath!