‘Breathtaking and fun’

St. Vital

Fort Garry

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/03/2025 (232 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Prairie Canada Carvers’ Association is once again letting the wood do the talking at its annual show and competition.

The Manitoba-based organization is holding the event on April 12 and 13 at Pembina Curling Club (1341 Pembina Hwy.), and it aims to engage professional and aspiring carvers, art appreciators, and curious onlookers alike. In its official release, organizers invite potential guests with the promise that, although wood can’t actually talk, there will be ample opportunity to take in over 100 stories being told through the medium.

“Breathtaking and fun ring a bell for me,” said Doug Fyfe, treasurer. “We want to promote carving for fun.”

The PCCA was founded in 1987, with the goal of “promoting an appreciation for wildlife through carving,” according to its official website. It has gone on to receive recognition in carving-based publications based in Ontario and parts of the U.S.

Fyfe, a St. Vital resident, described the wider acknowledgement as a “blessing,” as it cements the reputation of the group.

The annual show encourages appreciation of many traditional forms of carving, such as whittling and relief and chip carving, while using materials ranging from the classic wood to stone and antlers.

Projects each year depict forms of wildlife, more often than not, with a heavy emphasis on waterfowl, song birds, and decoys used for hunting. However, there’s always room to get creative and try something new, and the event’s competition encourages this with an annual themed activity to get carvers — of all levels of expertise — up and trying something new. This year, the theme is ‘Out of This World.’

Entries can depict things such as “astronomy, Star Wars, aliens, whatever,” as long as its four inches tall and four inches wide, Fyfe said.

The themed activity is separate from the annual competition, which will feature entries in 66 categories. April 8 is the deadline for both contests.

Categories covers the full range of the carving world — featuring different subjects, materials and methods of carving.

“If it’s made out of wood, carved out of wood, we’ve probably got a category for you to enter,” Fyfe said.

Fyfe said that, while it can be easy to feel intimidated, people of all skill levels are encouraged to enter their creations, as the ultimate goal is to encourage a love of the craft.

“Last year, one-third of entries were from beginners … The process of entering will help you learn the craft,” he said.

There’s also an opportunity to receive a friendly, one-on-one critique from judges in attendance.

“Carving can be fun, and very relaxing,” Fyfe said, pointing out that a single project can take anywhere from an hour to a few months to complete.

“The relaxed atmosphere of the event should invoke the desire of the public to walk around and ask questions,” he added.

A selection of workshops will also be offered throughout the weekend. One will be a parent and child workshop meant to get kids under 12 carving with their parents — but no sharp knives will be involved, Fyfe said,

At press time, not many other workshops have been finalized, but information will be released online in the weeks leading up to the event.

The show is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Those participating in the competition or themed activity will be able to drop off their creations on April 11 after 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults with kids 12 and under admitted free.

To register, keep up with workshops, or find more information on the event, visit prairiecanadacarvers.com/events-2025-show. Fyfe also encourages people to reach out to him with any questions, at either dougmfyfe@shaw.ca or 204-396-6409.