2025 Best of Show Winners
2025 Purchase Award Winners
Thank you to all sponsors of the 2025 purchase award competitions. They are exciting part of the Competition, drawing carvers from near and far.
The JD Irving Ltd award for Three Red Knots was won by Glen McMurdo from Ontario
The JD Irving Ltd award for a Bald Eagle was won by Maurice Isnor from Nova Scotia
The BID Canada Ltd award for a Brook Trout was won by Aaron Brophy from New Brunswick
The Picket Fence Motel award for a Santa was won by Wayne Arrowsmith from New Brunswick
Anne Johnson Memorial Prize
The Johnson family are kindly providing this prize in memory of Anne Johnson who passed in 2025. The prize is 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 4 years, starting this year.
Anne was a long term volunteer at our shows and wife of Doug Johnson, a former President of our Association. Anne and Doug initially started this prize in 2025 as the New Brunswick Carvers Prize. With Anne’s passing it has been renamed as the Anne Johnson Memorial Prize.
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 Power 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. This will be an incredibly valuable seminar for carvers. Attached are the notes that Art has put together for this 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
Theme Competitions- 2027
In 2027 there will be 2 theme competitions. All entries will be judged in their regular level and category before being judged as a theme carving.
2027 General Theme:
Next year’s general theme will be In Motion. All categories of carving are welcome for this competition.
2027 Bird Theme:
Any Kingfisher. Kingfishers under any carving category will be eligible.