Doug and Anne Johnson are kindly donating a $100 prize at all levels (Youth through Masters) to a New Brunswick carver for a carving that has not won any other award in the current competition. Judging will be done by our show judges. This prize will be awarded for the next 5 years, starting this year. Doug is a past NBWA President. Anne and Doug have both been tireless volunteers for the NBWA for many years. Thanks so much Doug and Anne!
KV Handcarving Competition
Time: Sunday, August 10th, 10:00 – 12:00 (noon)
Location: Sir James Dunn Academy
Cost: Free
This handcarving competition is sponsored by KV Woodcarving Supplies. KV supplies the wood cutouts and a pattern. Competitors are challenged to handcarve their piece using the pattern as a guide. Carvers need to bring their own handcarving tool(s). KV will award a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.
Registration: Open to all carvers. The competition can accommodate 10 carvers. Register on-site prior to competition on August 10th.
Youth Carving Workshop: with Gord Willett and John Bray
Youth Carving Workshop led by Gord Willett with John Bray
Time: Sunday August 10th, 9:00 – 11:30AM
Location: Sir James Dunn Academy
Cost: Free
Youth will be provided tools, wood blanks and expert instruction with a focus on mushroom carving. This workshop is a very popular event every year. It is supported by carving tool suppliers. Some tools will go home with the youth! Let’s spark a passion for the next generation of wood carvers. Sign up your kids or grandkids!
Registration: This workshop is targeted for youth 10-15 yrs of age. Youth outside this age range may be accepted (discuss with Gord Willett). Class size is limited to 10. To register email Robyn at okeefe@unb.ca or Gord Willett at mgwillett195@gmail.com
Seminar with Art Wolf (https://wildlifesculpting.com)
Time: Sunday August 10th, 9:00 – 11:00AM
Location: Sir James Dunn Academy
Cost: Free
Art will discuss key aspects of bird anatomy, and common oversights. This could be about balance, leg positions, what happens when a bird moves etc. Art is open to discussing other matters of interest to carvers. When you register, send your questions to Robyn O’Keefe and she will pass them on to Art, so he can address them at the seminar.
Registration: Open to all carvers. To register email Robyn at okeefe@unb.ca
Workshop: Cat Face Wood Burning with Amanda Arseneau
Time: Saturday August 9th, 12:00 – 2:00PM
Location: Sir James Dunn Academy
Cost: $25 (includes a 6” x 6” live edge piece of basswood for project)
Students need to bring the following supplies:
Pens – 2S Small Round, 99.015 Ball, 5MC Quill Maker or Shader
Other – small practice board, pencil, white eraser, razor blade or exacto knife, 220 grit sandpaper, pencil crayons (optional)
Students must bring a Razortip wood burner or similar unit.
See attached promotional poster for this workshop.
Registration: Open to all carvers. Class size is limited to 8. To register and arrange payment email Robyn at okeefe@unb.ca
Workshop: Painting a Chickadee Ornament with Dave Ricci
Time: Friday August 8th, 1:00 – 3:30PM
Location: Sir James Dunn Academy
Cost: $50 (includes a paint ready chickadee blank with eyes, paints required for project, ornament stand and brass eyelet to hang the bird on)
Carvers need to bring the following supplies:
Brushes – #4, #2 and #1 (the finer brushes are for fine detail and feather edging)
Other supplies – painting pallet, pallet knife for mixing, containers for water and paper towels
Note: if you need any supplies, KV Woodcarving Supplies is planning on attending the show https://kvwoodcarvingsupplies.com/
See attached photo of project chickadee.
Registration: Open to all carvers. Class size is limited to 8. To register and arrange payment email Robyn at okeefe@unb.ca

New! Brook Trout Purchase Award
BID Canada Inc., a NB company located in Woodstock is offering a $500 purchase award for a full body 19” Brook Trout. This award is inspired by an actual catch by a BID executive. With the spring fishing season upon us, we hope some of you will be inspired to create a brook trout for the folks at BID.
Theme Competitions- 2025
In 2025 there will be 2 theme competitions. All entries will be judged in their regular level and category before being judged as a theme carving.
2025 General Theme:
Next year’s general theme will be Pairs. The Pairs theme must be represented in a single piece. All categories of carving are welcome for this competition.
2025 Bird Theme:
Any Puffin. Puffin(s) under any carving category will be eligible.
2025 Purchase Awards
The list of 2025 purchase awards now includes:
- $1500 purchase award for a decorative 50% scale Bald Eagle offered by JD Irving Ltd.
- $1500 purchase award for 3 Red Knots feeding offered by JD Irving Ltd. This award is inspired by the migratory presence of Red Knots at the JDI coastal park in Bouctouche – La dune de Bouctouche https://www.jdirving.com/en/sustainability/parks/irving-eco-centre/
- $500 purchase award for a 19″ full bodied Brook Trout by BID Canada. This award is inspired by an actual catch by a BID executive. With the spring fishing season upon us, we hope some of you will be inspired to create a brook trout for the folks at BID.
- $300 purchase award for a Saw whet Owl theme offered by the NBWA (future raffle carving)
- $300 purchase award for a Santa offered by Picket Fence Motel, approximately 8″ in height
All carvers are eligible to enter carvings for consideration in purchase award competitions. For all entries in purchase award competitions there is an additional registration charge of $5 for Novice and Intermediate entries and $10 for Advanced and Masters entries. This charge is not reflected on the registration page, but will be added during on-site registration.
It should be noted that while companies/individuals have offered purchase awards, they are not obligated to purchase a carving if they feel that there is no carving that meets their expectation. This is rare, but is always a possibility.
2024 Best of Show and Best in Theme Winners
Best of Show – Masters
Best of Show- Advanced
Best of Show -Intermediate
Best of Show-Novice
Best of Show- Youth
Overall Best in Theme – Warblers

Overall Best in Theme – Flowers
