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The Dayton Carvers Guild held their 25th annual Artistry in Wood November 11 and 12, 2006 at the Dayton International Airport.  The large crowd in attendance found lots to see with booths filled by 168 woodcarvers, 45 woodworkers and 28 vendors. 

The feature display at the show was the Caricature Carvers of America’s latest project,  the Train.   A large number of CCA members were in attendance,  including Dave Boone, Tom Brown, Peter Ortel, David Sabol, Gerald Sears, Harley Schmitgen, Joe Schumaker, Dennis Thorton, Jack Williams, and the two newest members,  Floyd Rhadigan and Dayton’s own Bruce Henn.

Lecture/demonstrations at the 2006 event included

• Duane Spence with an exhibit of carved flowers
  
• “Ol’ Don” Burgdorf’s presentations on creating a recognizable carving and the creative process
  
• Rick Landis with an impressive example of scroll saw work
  
• Sandy Czajka’s demonstration on bird carving with power
  
• Scott Phillips demonstrated the fine points of dovetail joints

The 2006 event saw 379 carving entries and 52 woodworking entries.   Peter Ortel, Wayne Barton and Bob Hawkins judged the woodcarvings,  and Roger Hornung, Jim McCann and Earl Richards.

Carving winners included

• Best of Show -  Dave Boone for “NO!  Two is  Load, Three is Fire”
• Second Best of Show - Sandy Czaika’s bird of prey
• Third Best of Show – Ken Eddy’s Mallard and Turtle carving

Other winners included:

• The Bob and Evelyn Wening Award for novice bird carvers, sponsored by Fred Riggs of Han-D-Crafts:  Nancy Stepenson for her songbird and Monica Finan for her bird of prey
  
• Rossiter Ruff-out Awards,  now sponsored by Moore’s Roughtouts: Terry Truesdell in the human figure category and Jim Willis in the animal category
  
• The Whittlin’ Jack Williams Caricature Award, established by Jack’s widow Betsy Williams Greer and sponsored by Bruce Henn:  First place to Jack A. Williams and second place to Dennis Thorton
  
• The Walter Grether Award for stylized carving:  Ray Kunz
  
• Young Carvers Award,  sponsored by Fox Chapel Publishing:  John Hane, Samantha Logan and Cade McLarty

At the Saturday night banquet,  the Ron Ryan Award for the individual that best represents the ideals the Ron Ryan exemplified, including giving of one’s self, expressing goodwill and giving the extra effort needed to promote those qualities in one’s own community and throughout the woodcarving world.   The 2006 award was presented to Ralph Moeller, who has been active in the Dayton Carvers Guild for many years.

The high point of the evening was the presentation of a $5,000 check the United Rehabilitation Services, the Carvers Guild charity of choice.  The funds are used to support efforts in helping children and adults with disabilities in the Dayton area.

Plan now an attending the 2007 Artistry in Wood,  November 11 and 12 at the Dayton International Airport,   More information at the Dayton Carvers Guild website HERE.

To visit the AIW Photo Gallery, click HERE