Oakhurst Woodcarvers' Rendezvous Raffles Wooden Quilt to Support High School Scholarship Fund
Oakhurst, California (PRWEB) August 19, 2014 -- There are those who believe that woodcarving is becoming a lost art. Others are determined to prevent that thought from becoming reality. Larry Smith, co-organizer of the annual Oakhurst Woodcarvers’ Rendezvous, is one of those. He is committed to preserving the skill of woodcarving in all its forms.
Larry invited 13 carvers to join in creating a masterpiece 16-square wooden quilt in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act, signed by Abraham Lincoln on June 30, 2014. This serves as part of the year-long celebration of the historic event by Yosemite National Park and the gateway communities.
The quilt, on display in the lobby of Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau in Oakhurst, CA, is to be raffled off on January 1, 2015. Tickets cost $5 each or six for $20, and proceeds benefit the Oakhurst Woodcarvers High School Scholarship Fund for the Art of Woodcarving.
Each of the 16 eight-inch by six-inch squares depicts an aspect of Yosemite National Park, rendered according to the artist’s vision. Subjects include the Wawona covered bridge, Mariposa Grove’s Giant Sequoias, and Yosemite Valley’s iconic Half Dome and waterfalls. Some are carved while others are woodburned.
Although the ages of the Wooden Quilt’s carvers range from 50 to 80, the scholarship is the club’s way of ensuring that younger generations find inspiration in the art form they treasure. Smith says, “If a kid starts young enough, he can earn a fairly decent living at it. I know several carvers for whom this is their livelihood. There is a large spectrum of forms the craft can take from woodturning to scroll saw to woodburning, even creating furniture.”
Carving clubs exist throughout the nation, including California Carvers’ Guild, which promotes fellowship with other woodcarvers, the opportunity to participate in shows and many training opportunities.
The public is invited to stop by Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau, located at 40637 Highway 41, Oakhurst, to view the quilt and purchase tickets. Lobby hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Sundays through the summer.
For further information about the Wooden Quilt, Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous or the Oakhurst Woodcarvers’ High School Scholarship Fund for the Art of Woodcarving, call Larry Smith at 559/658-2405, or via email at stillwoodtat(at)icloud(dot)com.
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Rhonda Salisbury, Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau, http://www.yosemitethisyear.com, +1 (559) 683-4636, [email protected]
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