Carvers' Companion
WOM Home
Back Issues
 

The 2006 Caricature Carvers of America
National Caricature Carving Competition and Exhibit at Dollywood

By Bob Travis

Photography by Jack A. and Carole Williams

The CCA’s 2006 edition of the National Caricature Carving Competition and Exhibit at Dollywood was another great event.  The 2006 competition included a total of 114 entries from throughout the country and the quality was tremendous.  The judges were in the difficult position of assigning first through fifth place ribbons in some very competitive categories. In one especially competitive category there were 15 carvings, many of which could have been blue ribbon winners at almost any competition in the country.  The CCA membershp congratulates those who won ribbons and encourage those who did not place to compete again next year. 

Speaking of next year……there will be some exciting changes in the 2007 competition, the biggest of which is a move to Converse, IN.  This will not affect the competitors though, since the only change they will see is a different mailing address for submitting carvings.

There will also be a few minor changes in the judging categories.  This year the competition included a fairly large number of Santa carvings distributed throughout several categories.  Next year it is anticipated that Santa will have his own category.  It is likely that Mrs. Clause end up in the same category as Santa.  There may be a couple of changes in the other categories as well.  Check the CCA website or review your 2007 competition brochure for details.  The judging will still be handled by CCA members and Jack and Carole Williams will continue to contribute their outstanding photography. 

The CCA members would like to thank Dollywood and staff for hosting this event the past three years.  Dave Anderson and his crew have been wonderful partners and CCA will miss working with them.  Everything about Dollywood has been great, but it was time to move the competition to a different region of the country. 

Along with moving the competition to Converse, the mini-seminar and three day workshop will also move.  The Converse carving club has a large building for club activities that will used for the seminars.  Lodging and other arrangements are being made and will appear on  the CCA web site.   <cca-carvers.org >.  Interested carvers may inquire about the seminar and workshop by contacting Robert Travis at rltravisATucdavis DOT edu.

The CCA’s National Caricature Carving Competition is supported by a tremendous team of sponsors including Chip Chats, Woodcarving Illustrated, Carving Magazine, Woodcarver On-Line Magazine (WOM), Heinecke Wood Products, The Woodcraft Shop, Chipping Away Inc., Helvie Knives, Carving Solutions, Whillock Woodcarving and Stubai Direct, Central Massachusetts Caricature Carvers, and the Capital Woodcarvers from Sacramento, CA.  Thanks go out to all competitors for their participation and the fantastic carvings submitted for 2006 competition, and to our sponsors and the many CCA members who worked so hard to make the 2006 National Caricature Carving Competition a huge success.

The competition seems to improve every year and this was certainly no exception. Frequent blue ribbon winner Bruce Futterer, Russellville AR, claimed Best-of-Show with “Will Trade for Chevy Truck.  Bruce received ribbon and trophy and $500 award.  Second-Best-of Show ($400) went to Wayne Shinlever, Knoxville TN for “Santa Carving Santa”. Wayne also was awarded Third Best-of-Show ($300) for his “Bear & Fisherman”. Nelson Krouse, Sacramento CA claimed Fourth Best-of-Show ($200) with his “Pinocchio”.  P.J. Driscoll, Council Bluffs IA took home the Fifth Best-of-Show ribbon and $100 for “Next Time More Water”. Kathi Clark, Mt. Home, AR was awarded People’s Choice ($150) for her “It's Been One of Those Days. The Caricature Carvers of America wish to extend heart-felt congratulations to each of these carvers. Special congratulations to Floyd Rhadigan, of Saline, MI and Bruce Henn, of Troy, OH who were elected to membership into the CCA at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the competition.

The 2006 Competition Winners Gallery: Click HERE

Copyright 2007, All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.