If you’d like to be astounded, speechless, and utterly amazed all at the same time, this event is just for you.
The Utah Valley Woodcarvers Club is about to have their annual show. The show is open to anyone, even if you are not a current member of the local woodcarver’s club. The featured woodcarver for the event is Ray Carlsen.
You may be surprised to learn woodcarving has been around for about 12,000 years. The primary difference between woodcarving and whittling, if there is a difference, boils down to the various tools used by each artist.
You likely aren’t aware there are different methods and types of carvings as well – chip carving, relief carving, spoon carving, treen, and several others. Some carvings are produced on non-wood material such as antlers.
At this family show, there are at least five skill levels that will be judged with the best of the best awarded ribbons. There are categories for youth woodcarvers, novice entrants, and various levels of experts in the craft.
Expert woodcarvers will be on hand to display entries, answer questions, demonstrate various carving techniques, share woodcarving experiences, and to assist with other areas of woodcarving dilemmas and guidance.
Each entry is judged on its own merit as prescribed by the judging criteria and is not compared to other carvings.
Learning the Art
What if you find this show inspirational or motivational and you’d like to learn more about becoming a wood carver yourself or know someone that would be a great fit for this creative and relaxing hobby? Well, you’re in luck . . .
An experienced and local woodcarver in Provo, Susan Hendrix, offers very affordable classes and class gift-certificates to those that would like to learn woodcarving or would like to have a friend or family member explore the possibility of learning woodcarving in a small class environment.
Susan holds weekly classes for all ages and levels of interested artists each week on Thursday and Friday mornings and also on Thursday evenings.
You can contact Susan via email at: susanlhendrix@gmail.com or call her at 801-310-2078. Students between the ages of 9 and 12 will need to have a parent come along to assist. Classes are reasonably priced at $20 – $25 for 4 – 5 hours of instruction. Reach out to Susan for more information.
You’ll find woodcarving tools, catalogs, and carving materials are also available locally at Treeline in Provo. Treeline has a great YouTube channel with well over 100 videos that will give you a glimpse of this fantastic expression of art. You can contact Treeline at www.treelineusa.com or call them at 801-373-5786.
Show Details
The 2023 Utah Valley Woodcarving Show will take place at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Spanish Fork, 400 North Main Street, on Friday, September 22, 2023 from Noon to 6pm and again on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is only $3 (cash or check only) and anyone 10 years old or younger gets in free.
This once-a-year show is pure fun and astonishment. You’ll regret it if you miss out on this experience, so mark your calendars – twice.
