Announcements

Painting a White Breasted Nuthatch Ornament Workshop with Dave RicciTime: Friday August 7th, 1:00 – 3:30PMCost: $45 (includes the nuthatch blank; ornament stand and brass eyelet to hang the bird on)Carvers need to bring the following supplies:Paints- carbon black, titanium white, raw umber and yellow oxide, ultramarine blue; Brushes- #4, #2 and #1- the finer brushes are for the fine detail and feather edging; Other supplies- painting pallet and pallet knife for mixing, containers for water and paper towelsNote: if you need any supplies, KV Woodcarving Supplies is planning on attending the show https://kvwoodcarvingsupplies.com/Registration: Open to all carvers. Class size is limited to 10. To register and arrange payment email Robyn O’Keefe at okeefe@unb.ca

Santa Character Carving Public Demonstration with Wayne ArrowsmithTime: Saturday August 8th, 10:00 – NoonCost: FreeDemonstration description:Using a simple pattern and basic woodcarving tools learn to transfer a pattern on to a wood blank, preferably basswood. Use a carving knife or roughout knife to remove excess wood and establish the overall shape. Gradually define the major features including the hat, beard, face, arms, coat and in this case the Xmas tree he is holding.Once the basic form is established learn how to refine the facial features, beard texture, clothing folds and other decorative elements.Once the carving is complete apply paint and a varnish to protect your work.No need to reserve a seat. Set-up details will be announced at the show

Chipmunk Wood Burning Workshop with Amanda ArseneauTime: Saturday August 8th, 12:00 – 2:00PMCost: $25 (includes a 6” x 6” live edge piece of basswood for project)Students need to bring the following supplies:Pens – 2S Small Round or Skew, 99.015 Ball, 5MC Quill Maker or ShaderOther – 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 O’Keefe at okeefe@unb.ca

Handcarving Demo with Alice CaissieCost: FreeAlice will be on the floor of the show during Saturday and Sunday as time permits with a free public demonstration of handcarving. Alice is an exceptional carver and loves to chat about her work. This year she will be working on Santa & Rudolph taking a bath in an antique tub (Xmas ornament).

Youth Carving Workshop led by Gord WillettTime: Sunday August 9th, 9:00 – 11:30AMCost: FreeYouth will be provided tools, wood blanks and expert instruction on an individual project. This workshop is a very popular event every year. 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! We must acknowledge the generous support of Marwood Ltd. who stepped up with sponsorship for the entire cost of this Youth Workshop. Much appreciated!!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 O’Keefe at okeefe@unb.ca or Gord Willett at mgwillett195@gmail.com

KV Handcarving CompetitionTime: Sunday, August 9th, 10:00 – 12:00 (noon)Cost: FreeThis 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 9th.

Chainsaw Carving Demo with Ryan LittleRyan will be back this year with an outdoor demonstration of his great chainsaw carving skills. Check out his work on both Saturday and Sunday outside the entrance at the show.

Cooke Aquaculture has offered a $1500 purchase award for a male Ringed Neck Pheasant of any size and any type of carving.

The following list is current as of May 10, 2026. Any additions will be added to this post when available

Snowy Owl (any size) – JD Irving Ltd. purchase award for $1500

A Pair of Olive Sided Flycatchers – JD Irving Ltd purchase award for $1500. These flycatchers are seen as an indicator species of a healthy forest.

Male Ringed Neck Pheasant (any size)- Cooke Aquaculture purchase award for $1500.

Santa – An 8″ carving with animated open eyes. Susan Lister purchase award for $300

Any Whale – NBWA purchase award for $350, to be used as the raffle carving in 2027

In 2026 there will be 2 theme competitions. All entries will be judged in their regular level and category before being judged as a theme carving.

2026 General Theme:

Next year’s general theme will be Swimming. All categories of carving are welcome for this competition.

2026 Bird Theme:

Any Waxwing.  Waxwings under any carving category will be eligible.

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 is done by our show judges.

Dennis Ferguson Award for Overall Peoples Choice

This year the Overall Peoples Choice was a tie

Peoples choice winners at all Levels

Puffin Theme Winners

Pairs Theme Winners

Best in Show – Masters

Best in Show – Advanced

Best in Show – Intermediate

Best in Show – Novice

Best in Show – Youth

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

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.