[FSMNewbie]

Hello to everyone! I am very interested in learning to carve. I have some experience carving duck decoys (two of them to date) and would love to learn to meet others in the area that likes to carve. Does anyone know of a club in Fort Smith, AR or NW Arkansas that I could check out?

[Kenny_S]

If you know someone in Rogers Ar, I believe they have a club. Well, they put on a Nice carving show there.

[Donna_T]

Hello,
Joining a club or meeting regularly with other carvers is a great way to improve your carving. I'd suggest you contact one of this board's moderators: Paul Guraedy--he lives in Arkansas and he could probably help you find a nearby club.

Donna T

PS: Colwood's site only lists the following:
Arkansas

Central Arkansas WoodcarversLittle Rock, AR Meeting 2nd & 4th TuesdayDale Brady (SEC)(501)-565-8075 Email: Dale Brady North Arkansas WoodcarversPresident: Jay Nottingham2706 McCracken Ridge Rd.Mountain Home, AR 72653Phone: 870.431.7726Email: carvinj@mymtnhome.comWoodworkers Assoc. Of Arkansas6110 Carnegie St.Sherwood, AR 72117(501) 835-7339

[Paul_Guraedy]

John, I got your email. I am not aware of any clubs near Fort Smith. Donna has already listed a couple of clubs. Little Rock, depending on meeting /daytimes, might be a possiblity for at least a few meetings each year.

There is a club in Rogers (just off I 540) that has meetings both during the week and on Sunday afternoons. They have a website

www.northwestarkwoodcarvers.com

that gives info on the club. Again this might be a possiblity for at least a few meetings each year. Most importantly the club members know of woodcarvers throughout the area and could almost certainly put you in contact with someone nearby to help you get started in woodcarving.

NW AR Woodcarvers will be putting on a show on Oct. 7-8 at Lake Atalanta in Rogers. This would be a chance for you to meet some relatively local woodcarvers.

A third possiblity would be to contact Janet Cordell at Mountainburg (just north of you on I 540). I don't think she does any beginning teaching; but, could probably put you in touch with someone who does.

There are several seminars (all with a number of classes to choose from) that would hold possibilities for you.

War Eagle (just east of Springdale) has a two week session the first couple of weeks of June each year.

Woodcarving Rendezvous is held at Compton Ridge Campground the first week or so of June and Rendezvous II at the same location the last week of October.

Silver Dollar City Seminar is put on in association with the Ozark Mounatin Woodcarves the first week of March each year.

I would be happy for you to stop by here for a visit and some woodcarving also. I live at the end of Carroll County Road 925, seven miles south of Alpena, 1 mile off Highway 412.

[FSMNewbie]

I appreciate the information and reply! Look forward to meeting you in person someday.