Starting a woodcarving guild???

[mobjack68]

Not a beginning carver but I am looking at a new beginning....of sorts.
I have entertained the notion of starting a gathering for woodcarvers. Not much exists in my neck of the woods as far as anything even slightly organized. There really doesn't even seem to be many carvers that I have heard of, but I am sure they are lurking in the shadows.
I will soon have a larger space where some of my power tools will be set up as well as space for several benches. I have been seriously thinking about putting out the welcome mat and trying to (I hate that "organization" word) offer a gathering/meeting place for fellow carvers to assemble and share....tools/sharpening techniques/lumber supplies/etc...you get the idea.
Outside of the liability issues, anyone care to offer thoughts???? Best ways to make it happen??? what to watch out for?? Would like to communicate with anybody that has already skittered down this icy road...
thanks

[woodshed]

Not much goes on in eastern-western Va either. Nothing around Roanoke. Carvers are pretty much looked down on by any org. with the word "art" in it. Good luck with it, I wish you well. (just how western eastern are you?)

[Buffalo Bif]

Gather round the wood stove, sounds good to me. Start with one friend and let it grow. And keep us posted.

[mobjack68]

Hey Woodshed, I am in Covington...what, maybe 50 mins from Catawba by way of the buffalo farm??? (on the motorcycle)

Thinking about just advertising locally for folks to gather that are interested in woodcarving. See what kind of interest there is. I am about 14 miles from the WV line, could also reach out to the kindred spirits in White Sulfur Springs/Lewisburg... Anyway, still in the "thinking" stage, might just find the right time as the weather gets warmer....You be willing to drive from Catawba??
I'll buy the soda and the chips...

[brianrickman]

I've hosted a few open workshops. I have a friend who visits for a couple hours almost every weekend. We do carving and other wood-working projects together. Sometimes he brings a friend along. Sometimes I invite people from my day-job. I think the most I've had at one time was five. We usually get things done, and usually at least one of us learns something new, but we always enjoy each others company.

[Terry Vance]

There is a group that gets together in the Roanoke area. The Smith Mountain Woodcarvers meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 10:00-noon. You should be able to get the contact information from the local Woodcraft store in Roanoke.

My son lives there and I visit some and was interested in visiting a carving club and the Woodcraft contacted them and then gave me some contact information. If they are still meeting you should be able to find out from the store.

Good luck !!!

[mobjack68]

Hey Terry, thanks for the reply..I hadn't thought about getting the Woodcraft store involved in this. I am about an hour 10 away from their store in Roa. Not terribly far for them to maybe help me advertise???
I am not too far from the Smith Mtn Carvers to go pay them a look-see, unfortunately I have to work for a living and I can see the look on my boss's face when I tell her that I need the day off to go to a wood carving convention.....