Bears are found everywhere that chainsaw events fill the air with powerful buzzing. Watch the chips fly as talented wood carvers create chainsaw sculptures and compete for prizes. And it's not just bears. Eagles, fish, carved wood furniture, and whimsical figures are just a few of the creations encountered at such events. Buy art directly from the artist, or bid at auction for a worthy cause. Or, just hang out and admire the creativity.
Chainsaw carving is a growing attraction. With new events being added, finding one within a reasonable distance will provide a memorable excursion. Most of the events listed here have already set their 2011 dates, but some have not, and you'll need to check back closer to the event. Some events have entry fees for the carvers or the public. Each one is unique, just like the chainsaw sculptures.
February
Feb. 19-26 – International Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous in Ridgeway Pennsylvania. This week long, 12th anniversary event will feature over 200 carvers. See their website for more details.
March
Mar. 5-6 – Klondike Days 2011 at Eagle River, Wisconsin. Chainsaw carving is only one of the events of this festival, see their website for more details.
April
April 15-16 – Carving in the Ozarks, Eureka Springs Arkansas.
May
May 4-7 – 2nd Annual Chainsaw Sculpting Invitational, Thomasville, North Carolina. Read about the first chainsaw event in Thomasville.
May 6-7 – Chainsaw Carving at Red Oak Campground near Scandia, Pennsylvania.
May 27-29 – Manitoba Agassiz Chainsaw Sculpture Rendezvous and Carving Camp is geared toward training beginning and novice carvers, with quick carve contests. Just 16 minutes north of Winnipeg, BC.
Memorial Day Weekend – Seldovia Craft Invitational Chainsaw Carving Competition in Seldovia, Alaska. The dates for 2011 haven't been posted yet.
June
June 3-5 – Buzz in the Blue Ridge Chainsaw Carving Extravaganza at the Habersham Winery in Helen, Georgia. Admission to the public is $5 per day, or a 3 day pass for $12, children 10 and under are free.
June 9-12 – Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Championship, Chetwynd, British Columbia.
June 16-18 – National Road Chainsaw Carving Festival – Addison, Pennsylvania. This Lion's Club sponsored event doesn't charge for booths or public admission, and the auction proceeds benefit the Blind Center.
June 16-18 – Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championships in Reedsport, Oregon.
June 29-July 3 – Transformations on the Shore, at Campbell River, British Columbia.
July
July 1-4 – Sedro-Woolley Chainsaw Carving Competition, part of the fourth of July Logger Rodeo in Skagit County, Washington.
July – White River chainsaw Carving Championship near the city of Pacific, Washington. The 2011 dates aren't available yet.
August
August 5-7 – 60th Annual Woodmen's Show, Cherry Springs State Park, Galeton, Pennsylvania.
September
Sept. – Chainsaw Carving Festival, Chester Vermont. The 2011 dates aren't available yet.
Sept. 3 – Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Championship in Carrbridge Village. Find out more at Carve Carrbridge.
Sept. 25-27 – National Chainsaw Sculpting Invitational, Hackensack, Minnesota.
October
Oct. 1-8 – Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta includes the Echo Chainsaw Carving Extravaganza on the 1st-2nd and the 7th-8th in Albuquerque New Mexico.
Chainsaw sculptures are a very modern version of the ancient art of wood carving. Wood carvers and sculpture take on a new immediacy with the use of chainsaws. Bringing art to public events in the form of chainsaw carving is art as entertainment, and fun for all.
Suggested Reading:
Art of Chainsaw Carving
Corinne Shibley - Corinne Shibley studied sculpture in art history and created her own sculpture on the way to a B.A. in Studio Art. "There's something ...
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