Wood Carving, Prairie Canada Carvers’ Association Member

Prairie Canada Carvers Association
"Birds to Bark"
Wood Carvings

Since 1987, Prairie Canada Carvers Association has promoted carving as a legitimate art form, and a splendid artistic pursuit that promotes self development, camaraderie and expression. Prairie Canada organizes an annual Competition and Show which includes workshops and seminars. Carvers from across the Prairies, Ontario and our Southern neighbors gather each spring to compete with their latest carving creations. Carving clubs from many communities bring their displays and participate in this gathering. Prairie Canada is pleased to assemble this exhibition of representative carvings.

Exhibit Statement: This collection represents some of the best carvings from accomplished carvers in Manitoba. Many of these carvings were award winners in the annual Prairie Canada Carving Championships held each spring in Winnipeg.  Carvings include hunting style decoys which must float correctly when thrown from a boat, and decoys that are carved to find a place on a fireplace mantle. You will also find realistic birds carved to celebrate the beauty of our feathered friends. Life sized carvings are shown along with miniature versions.

Traditional carving once termed “whittling” has also developed into show pieces and are displayed in homes and collections. Here, we will find exquisite canes, cottonwood bark carvings, caricatures, interpretive natural wood finish carvings, and maybe stone, bone or antler.

Fish are also represented in this exhibit. They too are carved from wood, textured and painted. This exhibit does not capture every type of wood carving that is created today. There are many other sculptures being created in workshops!

Carvings in this exhibit are predominately wood. Species used include Basswood, Tupelo, Cottonwood bark, and perhaps maple or other hardwoods. You will find glass eyes, and some metal elements are used for structure and display. Paints include acrylics, oils, powder pigments, polishes and various finishes. Textures are created with knives, gouges, wood burners and micro-grinders.