Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous-- Lets the Chips Fly
"Something for everyone", says Larry Smith, spokesman of the Oakhurst Carvers group which has spearheaded the "Wood Carvers Rendezvous" sponsored by the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce . Smith refers to the wide variety of learning experiences that about 140 participants have engaged in during the past week.
Their handiwork will be on display, with some for sale, Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center (on Road 425B).
Focused on woodcarving, the talented and enthusiastic group has let the chips fly for the past several days in hands-on workshops directed by thirteen instructors with various talents and skills. Despite the economy, the event has almost doubled attendance this year.
World Champion bird carver, Jeff Wardwell lent his talents to instructing woodcarvers who wanted to hone their skills in carving an eagle. Shorebird carvers were instructed by award-winning Mariposa resident, Ed Frank.
Many of the participants are retired folks who enjoy woodcarving and other crafts. Attendees are from California Carver's Guild chapters located throughout the "Golden State" but they also come from Arizona, Nevada and even as far away as Alaska and other states. Some come in their RV's and meet their far flung friends several times a year at similar gatherings where hobbyists enjoy carving and other crafts.
They sell, they trade, they share their carving secrets. Sometimes they compete for prizes in judged competitions, but mostly they just socialize with a lot of people that have similar interests. The subject matter of their creations ranges from humorous caricature figures and faces and whittled puzzles, to highly artistic wood sculptures.
If you happen to come in during a carving workshop you might be impressed with how many people there are, deep in concentration on what they are doing. Lots of works have been in progress throughout the week. You might have seen people carefully burning designs in dried gourds while others were chain sawing rustic bears from chunky logs.
Some were wearing magnifying visors to detail the features of wood spirits and gnomes into pieces of bark. Stained glass stepping stones with hummingbird motifs were being cast while others were engaged in handcrafts like tatting a lacy purse, or chip carving a walking stick.
A variety of specialized knives, gouges, files, chisels, awls, sanders, and grinders, help the artisans create a vintage Santa out of a cypress knee or to carve a rattlesnake that looks as if it might be ready to strike.
There is no admission charge to view the Open House show. Some of the works are available for purchase.
