OAKHURST – The 7th annual Woodcarvers Rendezvous is set for Sunday, Apr. 6 to Sunday, Apr. 13, at the Community Center in Oakhurst. The event is a woodcarver’s dream, and an important yearly destination attraction for the area. Woodcarvers Rendezvous brings visitors from all over, inviting them up to the foothills for shopping, dining, touring and fun.
“This special week of carving is guaranteed to be fun for the whole family,” say organizers, “and we would like to extend a special invitation to you to come and join us.”
The registration fee allows participants to attend unlimited classes during the week-long event, or stay in one single class the whole period. It’s completely flexible.
As in the past, a host of different carving classes – and other interesting artisan occupations – are in the lineup. This is one of those times when there may be, literally, something for everyone to enjoy.
Becky Reazac will offer classes on polymer clay beads and buttons, macramé belts and key chains, and wire wrapping. Ed Frank will teach guests “how to carve a bird.” Jean Smith will offer tips on tatting, knitting and crocheting.
Jeff Wardwell will be power-carving and Joanne Carroll will teach beginning and intermediate wood burning. Joe Girtner will provide a class on sharpening and flat plane carving.
Kathie Peery will do mosaic stained glass stepping stones. Ken Maggard offers woodturning. Mac Maclaughlin will instruct on segmented puppets and Nash Regalado will show people how to make a flute and a walking stick.
Richard Smith will cover relief carving and a beaded bowl. Richard Zerbel will practice chip carving, kolrosing and crushed stone inlay. Sandy Nash will offer peyote stitch beading, and other artists are being organized into classes now.
In addition to the workshops, organizers in Oakhurst have set up a tour to Yosemite and surrounding area. The cost of the tour is an extra $100 per person, leaving at 8:30 a.m. and returning at 5:30 p.m. to the Community Center. Lunch is included.
Guests looking for overnight accommodations can check with the local Comfort Inn at (559) 683-8282 and the High Sierra RV Park at (559) 683-7662, where special arrangements have been made with organizers. For further accommodations, contact the Elks Lodge at (559) 760-8684 or (559) 683-2717.
“We kick off Sunday with registration during the day, and a sit down dinner including door prizes. This is just a time to have fun carving with other woodcarvers for a week,” say those in the know.
Registration for the Oakhurst Woodcarving Rendezvous is $105 for a single person, and $160 per couple (same household) for the entire week. The price includes workshops, morning coffee, two dinners and a potluck.
Applications are available online and participants are encouraged to share the opportunity with other woodcarvers. Registrants are asked to bring their own knives, tools and equipment.
The cost for registration even includes a t-shirt. A deposit of $50 is requested to hold a spot. Registration is also available online.
For more information on the Woodcarvers Rendezvous, contact Larry Smith at (559) 658-2405 or Jack Parks at (562) 425-0732. Alternatively, registration can be mailed to: Larry Smith at 40389 Hwy 41, Sp. 67, Oakhurst, CA. 93644
