Woodcarvers are, with rare exceptions, some of the nicest people anywhere. Woodcarving is a wonderful art, providing an enjoyable, even therapeutic pastime.  While people often believe that it is a “dying art”, my own opinion is that it isn’t; or at least, not quickly. There are still individuals and groups all across the U.S. and around the world who share a love of many styles of woodcarving. From carving realistic faces and figures to caricatures and creatures as well as chip carving, relief carving and architectural carving. Techniques vary as much as styles. From whittling with knives and small gouges to rotary tool carving and carving with mallet and chisels or chainsaws. Some carvers employ more than one kind of tool to achieve the result they’re aiming for.

Anyone who has been to a woodcarving class or event like the Gathering of Woodcarvers’ Woodcarving Art Festival will quickly recognize that the majority of the participants are often older adults. Not always, but often. We strive to include younger people and hope to include a special introductory class for younger carvers in future programs. Not surprisingly, many woodcarvers with children of their own do pass along their knowledge and experience to those children who often excel in it, due to their early introduction to the art.

The FUTURE of woodcarving is worth investing in. Your support will not be wasted on people practicing a “dying art” when you give to the Gathering of Woodcarvers. It will support a growing, thriving and evolving art.