Which Carving Shows to attend in 2012?

[mchuray]

Well it is vacation picking time and I would like to attend one or two of the bigger, or better (depending on your point of view) shows in the east or midwest next year. Being in Louisiana there is zilch in the way of anything remotely resembling a carving show. Is there one show that everyone wants to attend? Kinda of like the NRA convention for guns, or the IPMS Nationals for plastic models. If not is there a group of shows the one can see (and buy) all the tools, carving styles and types. Seems that there are a lot of shows in Ohio. I'm flexable and am willing to attend any show that I can get to within a two day drive. While in Houston,TX this weekend I noticed that they had a show last week. Did anyone here attend it? What did you think of that show? I want to thank everyone that replies in advance and also thank everyone that has provided me with so much information in the past. This site has really been helpful and frendly to someone just getting started in carving.
Mark

[MichelleOH]

Artistry in Wood is in Dayton, Ohio in November. I don't know that dates for 2012 have been set/released yet.

[TexasSteve]

The Houston show is moving to New Braumsfield in 2012 I believe. A 300,000 Sqft building, should be much larger, this years show was a big hit again

[carvingbarn]

The Texas Woodcarvers-guild well have The date for their big spring roundup posted in January. I think it is going to be in New Baurnfels Texas. Those are always fun events show ,classes and a lot of fellowship. Look on their web page.

[Magicman]

I vote for Dayton, Ohio Artistry in Wood. You can't beat it, a two day show, Wood Carving Illustrated has a booth there. More Carvings then you can see in a day you need both days to even have a chance. A bunch of dealers with tools, Books, and wood. Look it up on the net it might not have 2012 listed yet, but you can read about the 2011 show and get an idea what its all about.
Larry

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Clearly, Dayton is the one every carver should make an effort to attend but it's not the only one. The smaller events can sometimes be just as good. We just attended the Northwest Arkansas show in Bentonville and came across a young lady from Washington state who carved bone, antlers and of all things slate. Absolutely amazing. Maybe it wasn't wood but it sure was worth the trip to see the beauty a person can create.

Next week we're heading down the the OKC show where we'll see a lot of work by artists not able to make it to Ohio. I'll bet anything that there will also be carvings and carvers there that could give anyone from anywhere a run for their money.

[Robson Valley]

An open question for you all: Would you care to guess the average age of the carvers entered in the show? Not the book/tool dealers.

[Neil A. Ward]

More shows to see in the mid-west:

Belleville Area Holzschnitzers, November 5th & 6th, 2011 http://iidbs.com/holz

Dayton, Ohio, "Artistry in Wood", November 12th & 13th, 2011 show Dayton Carvers - Artistry in Wood Show, Dayton Ohio

Evansville, Indiana, "Wonders in Wood" Show & Sell, November 26 & 27, 2011
Tri-State Carvers Web Site

[Donna_T]

Don't forget the one in Bettendorf Iowa.
Donna_T

[Dileon]

Average age, I say 60 's and never been to a show will tell you how much I know....