We can all appreciate wood in its natural form, but it takes a special sort of artistic vision to see what beautiful things that wood might become.
That’s what the artists belonging to the Northern Alberta Wood Carvers Association (NAWCA) specialize in: turning pieces of mahogany, maple or oak wood into fantastical artistic sculptures, all of which will be on display this weekend at the association’s annual woodcarving show in Edmonton.
Running from April 20 to 21 at the Duggan Community Hall, the longstanding showcase will feature more than 130 carved sculptures and pyrographic (wood burnt) pieces. There will also be demonstrations on the craft, competition between artists and a plethora of other activities over the course of the weekend, according to the show’s chairperson, Alyssa Wegner.
“We have several demonstrations going on this weekend, including knife-sharpening, pyrography and soap carving,” Wegner says. “Our members will also be set up … working on current projects and chatting about all things woodcarving.”
While Wegner has been involved with NAWCA since 2018, the showcase is now in its 38th year, something Wegner says is indicative of a member base that is deeply dedicated to the craft.
“The fact the event has been ongoing for such a long period of time really shows the dedication that woodcarvers and pyrographers have to their art,” she says, adding that even in the relatively short period of time since she’s been a member, she’s seen the showcase grow and evolve.
“I’ve seen the entries rise in number every year and just a continued excitement around the show itself,” Wegner says. “Elements have been added — concession stands, prize raffles and kid’s activities — but the main focus is always to highlight the talented artists in the community and surrounding areas.”
That talent is clear when considering the breadth of time it can take to finish a piece, which can vary dramatically depending on artist and medium.
“It’s hard to put a time frame on the process. It can take me a year of meetings to complete a competition piece, while others may spend less or even more time,” Wegner says. “The size, type of wood, skill level, desired details and vision of the piece play such a major role in determining the time needed to complete a piece.”
But Wegner says you don’t need to be the type of person who might spend weeks or months carving to appreciate what’s on display. She says the show is for those who participate in the craft and just regular art fans, too.
“It’s a space for everyone, including people who are just fans of art generally and not woodcarving specifically. It can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter their knowledge or understanding of the art form,” she says. “Even if [you’ve] never been interested in this medium … [you’ll] be impressed by what people can accomplish with a piece of wood.”
If you’re looking for tickets, the NAWCA show is free of charge (though donations are appreciated). Likewise, if you’re a closet carver, you still have time to take part in the showcase by registering your pieces on April 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Duggan Community Hall.
