Every couple of months, we re-arrange the woodcarving display in the Adult Recreation Center lobby – the same space where we meet on Mondays.
A modest coffee table with a glass top holds many carvings by our members, along with a knife or gouge to show that each piece is handcrafted. We also include carving-in-progress, so visitors can see the work as it evolves and the tools that shape it.
Over the past few years, the woodcarving display case has become a favorite stop for staff and guests, giving a clear picture of how rewarding woodcarving can be.
February display: Getting Started
A variety of small projects that showcase different techniques: simple whittlings, chip‑carvings, carved spoons, in‑the‑round figures, playful caricatures, and a few pieces finished with pyrography. The assortment was assembled for a local scout woodcarving workshop to illustrate how easy and enjoyable carving can be for beginners.
April woodcarving display: Spring Carousel
A lively spring scene featuring a carved carousel horse, a soaring eagle, several birds in flight, and whimsical caricatures carved from wooden eggs.
Contributors: Al Furtado, Gary Eaves, Gary Paulson, and other carvers.
August woodcarving display
After our “Whittle a Treen” workshop in April 2025, members turned basswood and butternut blanks into functional butter spreaders. The case also includes individual whittlings contributed by Dan Brady, David Osterlund, Derryl Easter, Gary Eaves, Herb Robbins, Roman Chernikov, and other carvers.
The butter-spreader project demonstrated how a single piece of wood can become both functional and artistic.
October woodcarving display: Love Spoons
An array of spoons ranging from highly decorated, almost sculptural pieces to plain, utilitarian designs. The display highlights how the same basic project can be adapted to match any skill level.
Thanks to the contributors this month: Darryl Easter from Channel Islands Carvers, Scot Lang from Central Coast Wood Carvers, David Osterlund, and David Clarke.
December display table: Winter Holiday Ornaments
A colorful assortment of hand-carved and painted seasonal pieces: Santas, snowmen, Christmas trees. It also includes a set of icicles carved by the club members after our “Whittling Unique Icicles” workshop in November 2025. The unique ornaments brought festive color to the case and highlighted the joy of seasonal carving.
Contributors: Al Furtado, Connie Wilson, Dan Brady, David Clarke, David Osterlund, Joanne Carroll, Leon Truan, Rena Gooding, Roman Chernikov, and a few ornaments from Central Coast Wood Carvers and other carvers.
Changing the pieces every couple of months has become a beloved tradition for our members, and we’re already planning next year’s themes. Want to see how the display has evolved? Check out the archives from previous years: 2024, 2023.
Feel free to stop by the lobby, admire the work, join our Monday meetings, and discover a new hobby, one chip at a time, together with friends.
Leave a Reply