Wood Carving Classes
Wood Carving Classes
Each year, AWC hosts a variety of wood carving classes taught by some of the foremost carvers in the world. Classes range from one-day to five-days; topics include wood carving, clay sculpting, painting, pyrography, and many more. There are often classes offered for the non-carving participant.
Anyone who is a member of AWC Ltd. can take a seminar. Membership is $25.00 per year (USA), $30.00 (Foreign) and runs the calendar year from January to December. You may join or renew your membership using the Seminar Registration Form below or the stand-alone membership form HERE
Impromptu gatherings of carvers during the evening hours offer many opportunities to socialize, pick up different carving techniques and perhaps a trade secret or two.
Information and Forms
2024 Class Descriptions and Registration Form. Click here.
You can read current seminar descriptions in November'23 newsletter here.
2024 Shirt and Patch Order Form
5 Day Classes: Monday, June 10 - Friday, June 15
John Engler – 5 Day Class
John has been a professional woodcarver for over 25 years. Born into a family of artist, he began carving while attending Southwest Missouri State University. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree while developing his unique style of woodcarving and watercolor painting.
John’s class will get you involved in all the facets of the art of medium relief woodcarving. A painting class will follow on Friday. No experience is necessary. A wide variety of subject matter will be available to students. These will include architecture (barns, cabins, mills, etc.), also animals (bears, moose, cougars, etc.), and many other interesting projects as well. Clear, concise and understandable instruction on relief carving techniques will be emphasized.
Please go to John’s website: www, johnenglerwoodcarvings.com to view completed projects that will be available to students. Pre-stenciled blanks will run $35.
Vic Hood - 5 Day Class
Vic has been teaching woodcarving for over 25 years and has won top awards in various competitions throughout the country. Vic has designed a class that encourages students of all levels to create their own piece of art. There will be a strong emphasis on design, creativity, and technical execution.
The blanks for the class will be made of butternut and large enough to carve a one half to three quarter size human bust. The cost of the blank will be between $60 and $75 dollars. This is not a portraiture class but subject based, for example, an American Indian, Sea Captain, Mountain Man, etc. It is up to the student to decide what they want to carve. The structure of the class allows for all levels of carving experience, from beginners to accomplished. There will be models available to help students to develop ideas and design.
Alex Grabovetskiy - 5 Day Class
Alex is new to Congress and will be teaching his students how to visualize the depth of 3D imagination.
During the class he will teach you how to create a 3D woodcarving that are intricate wall decorations to furniture.
To see more of what Alex has to offer check out his website: www.grabovetskiy.com and youtube videos: www.youtube.com/@AlexanderGrabovetskiym/
Sandy Czajka 5-day class:
Sandy is a new instructor to Congress but is no stranger to carving. She will be
teaching a power tool class in carving a Carolina wren from a Tupelo cutout. This class is for beginners to advanced, who want to learn how to carve birds and learn the techniques to make them come alive. Material cost is not included in the class fee.
Sandy will be teaching a 1-day class on Saturday, showing students how to use acrylics for bird painting. She will show students how to mix colors, how to add additives for more rapid drying oils, how oils are different from other paints, while being able to play with oil paints. Material cost is not included in the class fee.
Fred & Elaine Stenman (5-day)
Fred & Elaine will be teaching a low relief wood carving with wood
burned background and finished with painted details. Students will be able to choose from this one time only unusual wood grained boards with a design or you can choose to create a wood burn piece with their stylized wood burning. You can check out Elaine & Fred's website to see all the amazing creations. Material cost is not included in the class fee.
Please visit Stenman studio website. https://www.stenmanstudios.com/
4 Day Classes: Monday, June 13, - Thursday, June 16
Randy Hansen (4-day):
Randy will be teaching a rainbow trout carving class from how to carve a trout to painting. He will walk you through the steps on how to carve a trout and make it come alive with his airbrushing technique. Randy will provide the necessary items to complete the project. Material cost is not included in the class fee.
3 Day Classes: Wednesday, June 15, - Friday, June 17
Ryan Olsen - 3 Day Class
Caricature Class
Ryan returns after a very successful year at Congress last year. He has studied with many great caricature carvers, including Marv Kaisersatt, Dave Dunham, Cleve Taylor, and Chris Hammack. Ryan’s woodcarvings have won many awards around the country. He is known for his funny portrayal of opera singers. He is currently a high school choir and orchestra director in Idaho. His extensive teaching experience helps him to explain clearly and concisely. Ryan is a member of the Caricature Carvers of America. Projects will be chosen from a number of available roughouts. Individual instruction will be tailored to specific student need while group instruction will include design elements, anatomy, expression, style, tool uses, etc
Roger Nadrchal (3-day):
Roger is a new instructor to Congress but has been a long-time carver. He will be teaching a hand tool animal carving of a small chipmunk. Roger will show you how to bring this 5" chipmunk to life by teaching the carving techniques, fur texture, woodburning, and painting demonstration. Material cost is not included in the class fee.
Bruce Shostak: Problem Solving Carving 2024. - 1 Day Classes Monday-Friday :
So, you say you are having some problems carving?
Do you have a problem with a carving? Or do you just want to have some fun. Well, here you go!
This class is structured for beginner and intermediate carvers who need help solving problems in carving. Participants must be over 18 years old and have a protective carving glove and thumb guard. I will consider younger students if supervised by an adult. Bring any tools you may have but you will have use of the instructors tools to try to discover your preferences. Also bring something to take notes, extra lighting, power strip, and extension cord since lighting may be poor in our carving area.
In this class you could be introduced to a wide variety of tools and types of woods. Lecture and practice will start off the class to gain knowledge and get a “feel” for different tools, cutting grain, and woods. For those who wish I will have projects with a simple finish for you to try. Or we can complete something from your imagination from scrap wood I will bring.
Cutouts to cost $5, reliefs $2, and scraps are free.
It is my ultimate goal to provide a menagerie of different projects for students. Currently in my menagerie I have ducks, birds, frogs, swans, faces, owls, and reliefs for some of them. It would be helpful if you studied pictures of your preference to gain knowledge of their anatomy.
I can talk a lot about different tools, how to use and sharpen them. I will bring some finished carvings of each as “go bye’s”. It took me 5 hours to carve and finish any of them but I suspect you will take much longer. If you have any questions, contact me on my cell 712-541-8468.
I have been woodcarving since the 6th grade in 1965. Starting at a time when there were few books, no teachers, and poor tools. Starting with ducks and birds I progressed into relief, faces, golf balls, and have tried a wide variety of different types of carvings. I have won several Best of Group awards at the Congress and I am still striving for that Best of Show! Educated as a Civil Engineer I have a strong background in visualizing and completing projects.
Be prepared to receive a wealth of information on many subjects in woodcarving. Hopefully you will gain enough knowledge and enthusiasm to jump start your career as the next Congress blue ribbon winners!
Jan Jenson - 3 Day Class Old World Chip Carving
Old World Chip Carving patterns are more geometric than traditional chip carving. Patterns are applied directly to the projects so carving can start immediately — no drawing. Learn how to do Old World Chip Carving on a practice piece and then do a small project, like a 6” square box or a 8-deck card box (also called a single recipe box). Prices: $20 to $27, both will be available plus others. You will need a good chip carving knife and a good light. All other supplies will be provided. Several designs are available from which to choose.
Jan first started seriously carving in 2002 when introduced to it at an RV park in Texas. She quickly became intrigued with Old World chip carving and began creating patterns for it. She has written 2 books with a third “book” on a thumb drive. Teaching is something she truly enjoys. Eau Claire is her home, but she and her husband winter in Pharr, Texas.
Carol Leavy (2 & 3-day):
Carol is no stranger to carving or to Congress. This year Carol will be teaching
an ornament and caricature class themed around the holiday. She'll show you how to bring the carving to life with her painting techniques, once your project is carved. Material cost is not included in the class fee.
2 Day Classes: Monday, June 10, - Tuesday, June 11
Jeff Phares a bark carving class two 2-day classes. Monday - Tuesday and then Thursday - Friday.
Jeff Phares began carving as a hobby in 1984. He showed such a natural talent in this area that he began carving full time by 1991, and quickly became known throughout he wood carving community as one of the Nation's best in his field.
Jeff has reflected his skill to such a level that he now works in many different mediums, and has developed the techniques in his art that are unique and unprecedented in his finished work. Jeff is currently promoting his work in bronze, however wood carving is still his major passion.
Jeff teaches classes and gives seminars in numerous locations across the Country during each year. It is apparent that Jeff wishes to suggest in his finished work the demeanor of the subject, and his intention to use the grain and natural irregularities for effect. Jeff motivates his students to learn this technique, and search deep for their own creativity, as he does with all his projects.
Old World Chip Carving
Jan Jenson - 2 Day Class
Old World Chip Carving patterns are more geometric than traditional chip carving. Patterns are applied directly to the projects so carving can start immediately — no drawing. Learn how to do Old World Chip Carving on a practice piece and then do a small project, like a 6” square box or a 8-deck card box (also called a single recipe box). Prices: $20 to $27, both will be available plus others. You will need a good chip carving knife and a good light. All other supplies will be provided. Several designs are available from which to choose.
One Day Classes: Saturday, June 17
Charlene Lynum (1-day):
Charlene will show students how to take an ordinary golf ball and use the core
of the ball to make a delightful decoration that can be used as a Christmas decoration, or how to take multiple cores an put into a glass bowl to make an accent piece in your home, or as a conversation starter. Material cost is not included in the class fee.
Rick Bartels (1-day):
Rick is a new comer to teaching at Congress and will be teaching a Saturday class
on creating a wooden chain. Rick will teach students how to create a 6 to 10 link wooden chain with links measuring 13⁄4 " to 4." He'll show you how to show movement in the chain to create a realistic chain. Class price includes 1 blank to work on.