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Association Executive Committee Chairpersons
President Carl Purcell 466-3024 Newsletter Ed Dawson 883-1364
Vice President Ed Dawson 883-1364 Library Doug Gregory 469-7641
Treasurer Dan MacLean 425-0012 Workshops Ross McKenzie 829-3328
Secretary Dave Brown 835-3067 Phone Ross McKenzie 829-3328
Membership Ross McKenzie 829-3328
Publicity Alan Dorey(902)757-3670
Competition Carl Purcell 466-3024
Alan Dorey(902)757-3670
FROM THE PRESIDENT: Dear fellow carvers:
Welcome to a new season of carving! As some of you may be aware, 1999 has been designated by the Nova Scotia Designer Craftsmen as the "YEAR OF WILDLIFE IN WOOD". This will be an exciting time for all of us, as we strive to show the public our very best work. A highlight of the coming year will be an exhibition of wood carving at the Mary Black Gallery during the summer months of 1999. Plans are in the works to also have a travelling road show within N.S.. Bringing our work to the people.
The executive has met several times during the summer and it is our hope that our enthusiasm becomes contagious throughout the general membership. There are so many ways that one can contribute to the betterment of the organization as a whole, it is up to you to come forward and do what you can in an area that most interests you. You will enjoy the group spirit and we will be very happy to put you to work!
HAVE A GREAT YEAR!!
NSWC&AA PRESIDENT
Carl Purcell;
POST COMPETITION 98 - WELL FOLKS WE DID IT AGAIN! Our 9th Annual Carving Competition is now behind us. When I think back, my first thought is; that a ship is only as good, as those who sail in her. To my competition committee ( my crew), "many thanks for a job well done".
Now let me just share a few (Competition 98) post-mortum thoughts with you.
1. GENERAL ADMISSION FEE :That a slight increase at door admission, as well as a stricter control at entry, meant we near doubled revenues at door as compared to previous year. For those members who worked that aspect , many thanks.
2.PAINTING SEMINAR FEE: meant over 50% of the Judges overall costs were re-couped. That translates into a very good bang for the buck when importing best in the world talent.
3.RIBBONS: That some ribbons were deemed repetitive and were cut from the previous years listing by about forty-five with no categories eliminated. Trust me no one missed them , except maybe the guy who sells them.
OVERALL SENTIMENTS: That it was a pleasure to see and chat with fellow carvers that perhaps have not been heard from for some time. When we put all our combined experiences under one roof you're going to take something home with you.
If you're like me your already chopping on the bit in anticipation for the upcoming year.
NOVICE CORNER:
WORKSHOP: When I think of wood shops, I think tablesaws ripping, drill presses drilling, planers planing and everywhere piles of sawdust. Most of all though, it is that beautiful smell of wood. Quite intoxicating, to a person who likes to work with wood. BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS PICTURE. Even if you're not on the scale, as described above, you are putting youself at risk for some serious even deadly health hazards. Wood Dust Is Toxic . Less serious effects include a chronic cough, chest pains,dermatitis, frequent colds, nose bleeds,sinus infections, bronchitus, etc. More deadly effects include asthma and lung, nasal and stomach cancers. Now before you dismiss the afore mentioned, as the same sort of propaganda that a doctor gives his smoking patient, I will admit outright I too am guilty of sucking in those particulates of wood dust. So preach I shall not do. But here is a couple of tips anyway. I know what your gonna say, "I can not afford a dust collection system all them pros got" Here's a couple ideas. Set up a fan ,the square kind of about 2'X 2', and tape on a furnace filter (the same size), to the intake side. Voila! an instant dust collector. Invest in a paper dust mask. It will be well worth your 15 cents. Lastly, if climate permitting open a window.
NOTICES:
NOTE OF THANKS: FM: VICTOR PAROYAN 5/28/98 (Verbatum)
ED, JUST A NOTE TO THANK YOU AND THE NOVA SCOTIA CARVERS ASSOC.. YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB LOOKING AFTER ME. I TRUELY ENJOYED MY STAY. YOU GUYS ARE REALLY HOSPITABLE OUT THERE, HAVE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT NOVA SCOTIA. THANKS AGAIN, VICTOR!
COMPETITION 99:
It is never too early to advertise, so here is, what is, as of this date.
1. 1999 NEW VENUE SITE:Nova Scotia Natural Sciences Museum
2. DATES: Last weekend in May 99
3. CHIEF JUDGE: Glenn McMurdo
4. SEMINAR: Carving a Shoveller head
5. REGISTRATION FEES: Entry fees are charged for the first "3" entries in all divisions. Additional pieces free.
6. FEE STRUCTURE:
OPEN: 1st- $20.00 \ 2nd- $10.00 \ 3rd- $10.00 \ 4+ FREE
INTERMEDIATE: 1st- $15.00 \ 2nd- $10.00 \ 3rd- $ 5.00 \ 4+ FREE
NOVICE: 1st- $5.00 \ 2nd-$3.00 \ 3rd- $3.00 \ 4+ FREE
YOUTH: 1st- $3.00 \ 2nd- $3.00 \ 3rd- $3.00
7. PRIZE PAYOUTS
BEST OF SHOW: $500.00 & BOWWATER TROPHY
OPEN: : $200.00 2nd: $100.00 3rd: $75.00
INTER: : $150.00 2nd: $ 75.00 3rd: $50.00
NOVICE: : $100.00 2nd: $ 50.00 3rd: $25.00
SUBSCRIPTIONS TO WILDFOWL CARVING AND COLLECTING/ GIFT CERTS: LEE VALLEY/FOREDOM
WORKSHOPS- ROSS MacKENZIE
The survey handed out at Competition 98 has allowed us to re-look at our Fall workshops, and has enabled us to more suitabley modify \ tailor our organizing agenda accordingly. I will list some of the most common and greatest concerns as expressed in the survey. The comments were as follows;
1. That there be all day workshops in lieu of 1\2 day Sats or week nites.
2. That Chapters outside metro area were unable to attend workshops\ seminars.
3. Workshops were too technical or advanced for a beginner.
4. Rather than lectures from advanced carvers or technical experts from outside the Association that a "hands on approach" was needed.
5. That workshops are geared to the intermediate level. More attention needed to assist novice carvers progress.
6. More basic carving to include projects other than birds.
7. Workshops were spaced too far apart and interest declined as a result.
With these comments and concerns in mind, the following is the direction the workshops shall take starting in October.
1. That workshops will be scheduled for all day sessions ,one Saturday per month.
2. That workshops shall commence @ 09:30. (This should allow time for travel from outside chapters)
3. Seminars and lectures will be appprox. 2hrs to be included with the workshop. Projects shall include at the very least 1X Fish or Whale and 1X Ruddy Drake Gunner Decoy. Time permitting other projects of consideration include walking sticks or Caricture.
* The Ruddy Project shall include pattern making, cutting out, floating , painting and how to prepare a piece for competition.
I hope this direction addresses some of your concerns and hopefully will enhance your participation / involvement in the NSWC&AA. The phone committee and forth coming News Letters will keep you up to date on the exact subjects\ dates\ locations etc..
Any questions/ suggestions with regards to workshops do not hesitate to call me.@ 829-3328 or @ Tancook Island 228-2008. Have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you in the Fall.
BUYERS GUIDE to ART & CRAFTS IN NOVA SCOTIA
For those of you who may not know this publication, it is a booklet put out by the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design.It's purpose is the promotion of Craftpersons and Artists of Nova Scotia. This up coming 1999 year will feature,Wildlife In Wood. The circulation in 1998 was about 60,000. This year promises to at least match that figure. Within its pages will be paid listings of Nova Scotia Artisans, as well as, info snippets on the subject for whom we all are enslaved, CARVING.
Note: To our fellow members \ carvers whom reside outside N.S. bounderies you have our apologies as you are automatically excluded from participation. It's done by and for the promotion of Nova Scotians.
An opportunity exists for members who who like to contribute writings of about a paragraph or two on some aspect of carving.An example may be on the technical side. What are the various types of woods used in carving? At any rate if you think you might enjoy something like this , give Carl Purcell a call and he can get you started. N.B. Deadline is end Oct/98
A Question of size
Tears pour uncontrolably, a tightness in the throat causes redness in the face ,hands slowly
tighten to fists and every ounce of control is being exercised in effort not to lose it. What
possibly could be the matter ? The aforementioned is the typical reaction, ( be it more intense or less) from individual to individual when he or she is confronted by the Competition Registration ( volunteer ) with the fact that the piece does not fall within size requisites. NOW FOR GOODNESS SAKE, please this year, before you embark on any project from published plans or not, VERIFY- VERIFY- VERIFY. You will spend money on wood/ eyes/ and countless hours of sheer pleasure carving. If you are not 100% positive, how about a free phone call. NOTE****** If you do not intend to compete with your work ********* HAPPY CARVING
GENERAL MEETING NSWC&AA- SEPTEMBER 9th
1930 hrs (that's 7.30pm Dan)
CREIGHTON PARK COMM. CTR.
Across from Sullivans Pond
DARTMOUTH
SPONSORSHIP LOGOS: On further issues of the newsletter competition SPONSORSHIP will be acknowledged by posting their particular logos within the pages of our news letter. As per example and bonifide 1998 sponsor:
WILDFOWL CARVING AND COLLECTING
THE CARVER'S DILEMMA
A block of wood came unto me; a jewel of tint and grain.
I gloried in its look and feel, though others thought it plain.
What could I carve from this great wood; this treasure I had found?
I know, I know, a bear I see, his soul inside and bound.
I visualize this vicious beast, big teeth and claws I see.
He's held inside this glorious block, till I should set him free.
So I dusted off my carving bench and laid out gouge and rule.
Some riffler files and a water stone to polish every tool.
My carving mentor years ago had secrets he did share.
Just carve away each bit of wood till nothings left but bear.
I set to work to set him free. I chipped and carved and more
And everything that wasn't bear fell gently to the floor.
The Grizzley bear inside that block became a grazing deer,
And then a dog and now a cat; or a mouse with just one ear.
The pile of shavings seems to grow. The block gets smaller still.
The thing I seek is still inside and I hunt it with a will.
But now its gone, this lovely wood with its grain and odor sweet
My glorious block of wood is now these shavings at my feet.
REX FORMAN, OCEAN SPRINGS , MISS.