THE SHOW GOES ON

By Don Mertz

Photos by Marc Featherly

Since the first event in 1981, Artistry in Wood has been committed to providing the best woodcarving and woodworking show for the benefit of exhibitors, vendors and visitors who come to see some of the best expression of wooden art as well as being able to purchase works of art from the woodcarving and woodworking craftsman and artist.

Every year the Artistry in Wood stays true to this original commitment by sharpening and fine tuning the show so that it continues to be THE show exhibitors and visitors will want to attend time after time.  Each year the quality of competition entries improve as does the growth of vendors and eclectic mix of artistic expressions related to wood along with a steady growth in the size of the show.

The organizers of the event were placed between a rock and hard place when the show location for the prior fourteen years was suddenly closed, and had find a comparable sized show venue in a different location and show date (due to scheduling limits at the new location).  Despite that, Artistry in Wood doubled its efforts to stay true to its original commitment.

So committed are the event organizers to providing the BEST Show possible for all concerned that ihe advertising budget was increased from $19,427.00 for 2015 to $30,225 for 2016 to assure all concerned that “The Show Goes On.”  The show goes on to maintain the high quality of exhibitors, competitors, judges, demonstrations, children’s activities and visitors’ interests for the showing and selling of cherished works of art in the medium of wood.  And just as important, the show goes on so that Artistry in Wood can continue the long tradition and commitment of giving at least $5,000 to United Rehabilitation Services of Dayton and $500 to Partners Against Crime charities.

The only venue that was large enough to accommodate a show the size that Artistry in Wood has grown to be with a convenient location within the radius of Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio was the Roberts Centre near Wilmington, OH.  The only date available for 2016 was for Labor Day weekend.  The Artistry in Wood committee realized that a change of location as well as date change from traditional date of previous shows and especially competing with major holiday activities, a Renaissance Festival and county fair would have an impact on regular exhibitors’ participation as well as visitors to the show.  But “The Show Goes On” in order to make the transition to a new site and a new date for the 2017 and following years’ show dates.  In 2017 the Artistry in Wood show will be October 14 and 15 and the second weekend in October in subsequent years in order to get back to a regular schedule for location and date for the show.

Even though there was the expected decrease in attendance and exhibitors, yet in the final analysis the evaluation by visitors, exhibitors, competitors and vendors was very positive. The Roberts Centre show room is beautifully appointed with superb lighting with more than adequate and convenient free parking and with easy access right off Interstate 71 at Exit 50.  Roberts Centre is located within a fifty-mile radius from Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. Visitors were very complimentary of the venue, quality of woodcarving and woodworking art on display and the added features of demonstrations, ornament carving contest, raffle of quality prizes, silent auction of donated wooden art.  Although somewhat smaller than usual, the quality of the show lived up to its reputation.  Many first time visitors joined their voices of appreciation with the long time attenders.  

The 2016 show was a bridge from what the show has become to what it will continue to become in 2017 and beyond at Roberts Centre the second weekend of October.

Highlights of the show begin with the competition. 278 woodcarving entries were judged by Janet Cordell, Wayne Barton and Al Fulford judged 278 woodcarving entries.  Woodcarving Best of Show honors were awarded as follows:

• Steve Baker – Best of Show
• Terry Brasher – Second Best
• Harry Limings – Third Best

Sixty wood working entries were judged by Roger Hornung, Jim McCann and Larry Sanders who awarded Wood Working Best of Show to:

• Barry Todd – Best of Show
• Scott Hamilton – Second Best 
• Richard Avram – Third Best. 

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