Southern Governors Conference, Asheville, NC

[Jim Arnold]

Was invited to be one of 6 artists to demo at the Southern Governors Association Conference in Asheville last Friday night and it was a blast! Met about a half dozen US Governors and First State Ladies (and the Governor and First Lady of Puerto Rico) during the course of the evening as they watched me work at my old carving table. I was carving on an Isle of Lewis reproduction chess set that garnered lots of attention. Had three sets on display and a rack of about 12 walking sticks. Most of the Govs were very nice and all of the First Ladies were just total class! In addition to the politicans, there were lots of lobbyists in attendance. I spent a lot of time with the president of one of the US's largest and oldest corporations and fit him with a walking stick and a nice chess set, ha! I first set up at a beer tasting event (which had its own rewards, lol) with just a couple other artists, then had to tear down and re-set up with the others at the dinner and dancing event on a different floor of the Grove Park Inn which is a truly historical and outstanding resort in Asheville.

I could never have dreamed of all the places and experiences that Wood Carving has taken me. Wood Carving has led me to meeting so many people from all walks of life from all over the world...it really has been a BLAST, can't wait to see what happens next, what a ride!!!

Jim

[Thor]

Jim, that sounds like a true adventure for the memory banks.
You deserve to be there, of course, and I am glad that you represented woodcarving so well.
Congrats on the sales, and the exposure.
Christina

[squbrigg]

Congratulations Jim, that is a great event to showcase your work! Glad you enjoyed yourself. It is interesting how folks react to seeing a carver at work, it certainly is an ice breaker.

You are so right, carving takes you to the most interesting and unusual places, and you get to meet the most interesting people. It sure is a leveler of the so called "classes" in society, carvings are admired by one and all.

Well done.

Bob

[Sharon of the Dell]

RIGHT ON JIM!!!!!! With so many art programs getting canceled in the schools, maybe this will help out in a way to show the powers that be that art is important to our culture.
Can't think of all I wanted to say right now, to early, but congratulations!

[Donsexton]

Good for you man, I bet that will result in some more work.

[Jim Arnold]

Thanks you guys!!! I so enjoy what we do in this community.

Jim

[Nomad]

Congratulations! That was a great honor!

[draft51@aol.com]

Just great Jim with you representing the carvers from all over. You deserve it being so good in what you have done. Congratulations and keep up the good work. fred k