Dollywood classes

[makenchips]

Has anyone here taken the seminars at Dollywood? What are the mini-sessions like? How was the whole experience? Any good hotels nearby? Any recommendations would be appreciated? Thanks. I was possibly going to do the whole thing, mini-sessions on Sunday and the three day-long classes but I wanted to hear what others had to say and if it was worth it. Do classes fill up quick? Sorry for so many questions. I quite down so that someone can answer.

[Anthony Filetti]

..still dreaming of going...haven't yet...hope to be able to compete there this year though!

[Anthony Filetti]

...the woodcarver online magazine just published an article related to the seminars in question...check it out. It looks like a great time!


http://carverscompanion.com/Ezine/Vo...2FrameSet.html

[groozier]

I took the whole thing last year and thought it was a great experience. The knowledge of carvers like Marv Kaisersatt, Pete LeClair and Phil Bishop, among others, that were there was unbelievable for a self taught carver like myself. I enjoyed the mini seminars as well as the three day workshop. For myself i thought it was money well spent.
I spend alot of time in the Smokies and am a season ticket holder to Dollywood. We have stayed in numerous motels/hotels there and I like Park Towers in Pigeon Forge and Mountain Aire in Gatlinburg. Mountain Aire is older but it is one of the cleanest places I've ever stayed.
If you get Chip Chats Magazine go to page 12 and see the write up about last year and you can put a face with a name because I'm in the photo on page 13, the front row ,second from right. There were some excellent carving talent in that picture.
Lance Brooks better known as groozier

[Anthony Filetti]

Lance,
I've only stayed at a condo up near the ski resort so I'm not an authority on the area. What kind of room rate did you get at the hotel you mentioned?

Did you stay for the awards banquet?

[groozier]

Rocket39,
I'm thinking it was something like $35.00 plus taxes at Mountain Aire and $10.00 or so more at the Park Towers. The rates also changed on the weekend, but I can't remember how much. I had never been to any seminars and went down early to find out where everything was going to be held on the park grounds and got lucky enough to be there during the awards ceremony. The whole gang was extremely nice.
groozier

[Bob_in_TN]

I haven't taken the seminars as yet, but I'm about to! I signed up in January,and have made my reservations with Rodeway Inn in Pigeon Forge. I'm staying 4 nights for $163.15, since my wife won't be with me, I went for the cheap trip. Can't always get away with that if she's along, I think you understand. If any of you decide to go, I would find a hotel/motel asap. The Fall Festval is going on at the same time at Dollywood and that means more people than usual in town.

I have a carving friend that took the seminars last year and he was the one that recommended it to me. He thought it was well worth the money.

Hope this helps! Bob

[makenchips]

Thanks for all the responses. Good information. How good of a carver do you have to be to go to these classes. I am a novice at best and I am sure anything I can pick up would be a plus but are the classes more geared for the intermediate and experienced carver that already knows quite a bit. Groozier, you stated that all those in the picture with you were very good carvers. Were there any there that were fairly new and inexperienced? I know the basics, so don't misconstrue that I have never carved, but like I said before I would only rate myself as a beginner when it comes to what I see posted at Dollywood.

My other question is about the mini seminars. Was it worth it? What would you recommend? Was any of them a real "don't miss" sort of thing over the others or were they all about the same?

Thanks again to everyones answers. I really appreciate it.

[groozier]

makenchips,
I didn't mean to scare you off by the comment. I was mainly talking about the professional carvers as being good, like Marv, etc. That was my first seminars and for a little while I felt overwhelmed. The teachers are so good that they guide you right through the trouble spots with no problem. Some there were less experienced than others but everyone learned and seemed to be having a good time. The mini seminars were a big help to me because they concentrated on specifics,such as painting,carving an eye,a hand, using clay for model, etc. Last year they had a list and you signed up for the minis you wanted. I'm not sure what the topics will be this year so I couldn't make any suggestions about what to take. I'm hoping to be there again myself, if I can find out my son's tour schedule before it is too late.
groozier