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Wood Carving Show Returns to Oglebay Labor Day Weekend

The Oglebay Woodcarvers Guild of Wheeling will hold its 36tth annual Wood Carving Show and Sale in the Pine Room at Oglebay Park’s Crispin Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5-6.

This event is open to the general public. There is no charge to stroll through the many tables to scrutinize the wood sculptures and whittlings of many talented carvers.

Upon entry, each visitor will receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win a locally produced carving. Drawings will be once every hour during the show, and the winner must be present to win.

Talented carvers from many states will join the local carving group as they come together to showcase their artistic creations from various species of wood. All types of carvings from large to tiny and of all descriptions will be displayed with most offered for sale.

The event will feature many returning carvers to complement some new participants.

Susan Dorsch of St. Clairsville will display her carvings of birds and other painted “rust and worn” style of carvings. Dorsch has shown these carvings at many national shows, especially at the second largest show in the country at Dayton.

Pittsburgh’s Bill Baker and his collection of colorful and fine detailed Santa figures will display in his usual spot. Phil Topa of Glade Spring, Va., is returning with his most unusual carvings and whittlings. Dragons and such are the specialties of husband and wife team of New York carvers Ken and Dot Kohl.

Longtime favorite Karl Ohly from Sandusky also brings an array of carvings in natural wood colors. Completed chain saw carvings by Jeff Hankey from Latrobe, Pa., will be displayed and sold inside the Pine Room.

Weirton’s Joe Romanyak will again show his large carousel horse and merry-go-round. Artists will be drawn to the table of Mike Allen, of Bellevue, Ohio, to view his detailed wood designs.

All exhibiting carvers will be presenting their own distinct personality in the carvings that they will show, from fish, birds, sewing thread spool carvings to found wood, Santa, dragons and deep relief pictures.

Vendors will be selling many carving related tools and aids. Jim Lukens of Knightstown, Ind., will be selling a vast array of various carving wood. Knife builder John Dunkle from Archbold, Ohio, will be selling his line of knives and gouges and offering a sharpening service for carver’s personal cutlery for a small fee.

Bob Stadtlander of Mantua, Ohio, will have a vast display of carving items for sale from carving plates to cutout or roughout carving pieces, tools of all descriptions, patterns and pattern books for the discerning carver. Used carving and woodworking magazines will be on sale for a small fee.

With weather cooperation, a tent on the lawn will feature demonstrations of various carving skills and tool sharpening during show hours. Meanwhile, chain saw carving artist Jeff Roscoe of Flushing will transform tree logs into striking carved animals, birds or caricatures that will be available for sale.

Food and drinks will be available from the Oglebay Park concession counter directly inside the Pine Room with tables to sit and relax after viewing the carvings.

The local club will be selling raffle tickets with two top prizes. The first drawing will be for a carved and framed quilt pattern picture, and the second drawing will be for one week’s lodging at a deluxe cabin in Oglebay Park. Then drawings will be held for two second prizes of $100 and three third prizes of $50 Oglebay gift cards. All drawings to be held at the conclusion of the show on Sunday, Sept. 6; winners are not required to be present.

The Oglebay Woodcarvers Guild is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the art of woodcarving through instruction, exhibitions and demonstrations. Membership is drawn from the tri-state region of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The club meets twice weekly (Monday evening and Thursday morning) for carving sessions at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center, 1330 National Road, Wheeling.

The organization uses excess funds derived from raffles and donations for contributions to 13 community soup kitchens where local carving members reside. Funds also are expended for ongoing paid carving magazine (Chip Chats) subscriptions to 15 public libraries where members reside. An annual raffle is conducted with funds donated to Stifel Fine Arts Center for use in its children’s programs.

Pictured is the promotional poster for the film, “Modern Times.”

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