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The one hundred plus members of the Ridge Woodcarvers Club are doing their part to perpetuate the art of woodcarving and peoples’ appreciation of this art. In centuries past wood carvings were prolific, adorning churches, castles and state buildings. Now it is rare to find wood carvings used in the architectural design of a building or even to adorn a shelf or table inside the home. For seventeen years, the Club has sponsored the Art of Wood Carving Show and Competition to increase the public’s appreciation of this dying art. This year the one-day event took place on March 7, 2009, in Bartow, Florida. In addition to a judged competition, hundreds of carvings were on display. Some of the carvings were for sale and others were just for viewing. The show featured a raffle for a friendship cane carved by members of the Ridge Woodcarvers’ Club. In addition, there were door prizes, raffles, and carving demonstrations and lectures. Larry Nowell from Knoxville, Tennessee, demonstrated proper techniques for sharpening carving tools and knives as well as how to take the grain of the wood into consideration when carving. Janet Miault, a member of the club, demonstrated the techniques for carving tree houses in Cottonwood |
bark. Cheryl Dow from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, demonstrated the art of pyrography. Chau Pham, from Orlando, Florida, answered any question you could think of relating to carving and judging wood carvings. Al Pogue, a member of the Club, demonstrated the art of carving fish decoys. Vendors offered for sale their own wood carvings and a variety of supplies used by woodcarvers. The woodcarving competition was judged by Chau Pham (Orlando, Florida) and Bud Evans (St Augustine, Florida). Top awards included Best of Show, Best of Category (for in-the-round and specialized for amateur, intermediate and professional carvers) and a Peoples’ Choice Award. First, second, third and honorable mention ribbons were awarded in 66 categories. Mike Nelson (professional) took home the award for Best of Show with his in-the-round carving of Blue Gills. Top winners from the Ridge Woodcarvers Club include Lu Myers (professional) best of category for her self-portrait. Ron Roberts (intermediate) for his best of category in-the-round, Howling Wolf. Al Pogue (intermediate) took best of category for his high relief carving of mountain lions. Jerry Heinicke (amateur) won best of category for his high relief carving, Laughing Jesus. The peoples’ choice award went to Fred Collins for his beautiful carving, Magnolia with Cardinals. |
| 2009 Art of Woodcarving Show and Competition | ||||
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| Best of Show (Professional, in the round) Blue Gills by Mike Nelson | Best of Category (Professional, specialized )Self Portrait by Lu Myers | Best of Category (Intermediate, specialized) Mountain Lions by Al Pogue | ||
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| Best of Category (Intermediate) Howling Wolf by Rob Roberts | Best of Category (Amateur, specialized) Laughing Jesus by Jerry Heinicke | First Place (Professional, realistic bust) Moses by Lu Myers | ||
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| First Place (Professional, Caricatures) The Witch by Harley Haubenstricker | First Place (Professional, natural high relief) The King by Lu Myers | First Place (Professional, natural low relief) Lilly by Paul Coss | ||
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| First Place (Professional, fantasy) Tree House by Paul Coss | First Place (Professional, mixed media) Warrior Necklace by Larry Nowell | First Place (Intermediate, wildlife other than birds) Lion by Tom Hutto | ||
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