Starting a Carving Club

[Benjamin]

I am still trying to get something started also in Panama city, Fla. Come on Dave move closer to me, lol

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

No clubs near me either, only clubs are 45 min. to an hour away. Never been to Panama city, my wife is from Pensacola / Milton area, people are super polite there.

Dave

[Jim Arnold]

Thanks for all the advice everyone ( the info. from the old threads was also helpful), I appreciate the help!

Jim

[vacation212]

I agree with Ed,we just contribute $2.00 for coffee and cookies anything left over we would buy carving books.No officers,no mess.

[Dan S]

Ray and I started one here in Vegas about a year ago. It took off pretty well I guess we have about 20 or so carvers. We don't charge dues but we do charge if you cut yourself. 1.00 for a small cut, 5.00 if you need stitches. The rule has worked to produce some very safe carvers. That or they lie a lot! Money from the blood bucket buys coffee, supplies, books and whatnot. We haven't needed officers or any formal structure as yet.

Good luck,
it's a lot of fun.
dan

[Mitchell]

Jim,

One thing you could do is to take notes. Things like what you did and why. That way, you will have the answers next time someone has a question. OR - just put 'em here on this thread.
Too many times we get questions, provide ideas and then never hear what the results were.

Hope it all works out well.

[Jim Arnold]

Thats a good point Mitchell! I agree.

Right now what I have to do is go back and talk with these people. I'll pose several questions regarding issues brought up here in the forum. I'm guessing first step will be to determine interest in the area. The venue is in Galax, Virginia. A new art center there has approached me about starting a club there. I will update the post through resolution.

Jim

[JackOsbon]

1. Is/Has there been a club in your area before? If yes, contact the old members and let them know you will be meeting again.
2. Meet weekly if possible. Some won't be able to meet weekly, but most will.
3. We have president...officers, no one else will run!
4. Dues of $1/month covers web site charges. Aiken WoodCarvers- Official Website
5. try to have some sort of classes AND pre-made carving pack containing a Murphy knife, cutout, glove, pattern, strop for a beginner when they come in to carve on beginners nite.
6. Keep beginners classes/projects to 3 weeks at a time.
7. Place notice in the newspaper a keep it running FOREVER. It is usually free.

[Benjamin]

Go and have fun. Thats what it is all about. Contact Mac Proffit at smokey mountain woodcarvers supply and he can help you with tools wood etc...
1-800-541-5994 they also have a website by typing the name.

[Jim Arnold]

Here's an update to the original post.

First, like some of you guys, I think I would enjoy a more informal type of club, with organization, dues, and rules left to the bare minimum. Chippin in (pun intended) to buy some books or have somebody come in demonstrate or teach an area of interest on occasion.

I'm teaching some beginner's classes and stick carving classes at the art center and there's the rub for me.

WHen I have taught classes before, they start out as formal, but quickly turn into a group of friends having fun and experiencing different styles of carving together. Some of the folks ended up taking 4 or 5 classes (usually meet one night a week for 2 hours or so for a month), by the time we get to the 2nd or 3rd class it IS a club to me, so I don't think I will be teaching here long because of the required structuring and fee schedules.

The Chestnut Creek School of the Arts (Galax, VA) is a FANTASTIC facility and the directors are tops! The area is full of rich cultural heritage and naturally beautiful. All kinds of artistic genres are being taught there. The focus is towards offering classes to the local community and also a strong push for week-long residency programs to attract people to the area from around the world.

I will help get the 'guild' off the ground, but I can't 'charge' friends to share with them and point them (and/or gently nudge them, lol) in the direction of their desired wood carving goals. I absolutely love to teach beginner classes, I get as much from it (if not more) then the 'students' do, but I'm backing out after that, I'll be a member of guild, but only as a regular Joe.

If there are any of you pros out there who are interested in teaching regarding the week long residency programs, please let me know, and I'll get you the info.

For everybody that responded, thanks! Your comments have reminded me why its 'fun' to carve. All to frequently, I get wrapped up in orders and the business side of things and tend to forget that. Visiting the site here and reading the posts in the forum and seeing pics of everybody's work makes me feel like I'm connected..its like this place IS a club.

All the Best,

Jim