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NOTE:
The 44th Congress has moved to Maquoketa, IA - See CURRENT
NEWS Page for background information on the move.
General
Information
Affiliated
Wood Carvers, Limited, (AWC) is a non-profit corporation which
publicly promotes the fine art of woodcarving through the
sponsorship of the International Woodcarvers Congress.
To the best
of our knowledge, the International Woodcarvers Congress is
the longest running, competitively judged, woodcarving
art show in the United States. It is truly the most prestigious
show of its kind. Artists from all over the United States,
Canada and overseas have competed for cash and awards at the
“Congress”.
The show and
competition are just a part of the festivities held during
“Congress Week”. “Congress Week” is held the second full week
of June at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, 1212 E Quarry Street,
Maquoketa, IA 52060. Other activities during the week include
a series of carving seminars, the Awards Banquet, the AWC
Membership Meeting and the Judges’ Critique Sessions.
Membership
to the AWC and participation in the International Woodcarvers
Congress is open to anyone interested in the art of woodcarving.
Annual membership includes informational newsletters, reduced
admission to the show during Congress Week upon showing your
membership card, access to the seminars and competition, and
a copy of the annual pictorial Show Report. We encourage you
to join AWC and promote woodcarving through participation
in the Congress. Membership runs from January 1st to December
31st and $15 for a member living in the United States and
$20 (US Funds) for all other countries. You may access a Membership
Application for now if you desire.
Competition
The International
Woodcarvers Congress offers over 85
separate categories in the judged competition. Cash awards
and prizes have exceeded $17,000 in the past thanks to our
very generous sponsors.
The competition
is judged each year by a team of judges who are considered
quite advanced in their particular woodcarving field. The
trio of judges is rotated yearly to keep the competition unpredictable
and pure. One of the primary duties of the judges during Congress
Week is to hold two Judges’ Critique Sessions. These sessions
provide insight on what the judges look for during the competition.
These Judges’ Critiques have proven to be one the most popular
events held during Congress Week.
The competition
is open to all levels of carvers. Membership in AWC is necessary
to compete unless you are 18
years old or younger.
Education
Each year,
AWC hosts a variety of interesting
and informative seminars taught by some of the foremost
carvers in the world. Classes range from one-day to five-day
seminars. Topics include woodcarving, clay sculpting, painting
and many more. There are also classes offered for the non-carving
participant.
Impromptu gatherings
of carvers during the evening hours offer many opportunities
to pick up different carving techniques and perhaps a trade
secret or two.
Specific
seminar topics and costs are announced in the “Congress
Newsletter” sent to all dues paying members. They are
also found elsewhere on this website.
Fellowship
The
Annual Awards Banquet is held on Saturday evening of Congress
Week and offers a prime opportunity to meet new friends and
renew old friendships.
A number of
competition awards are presented to the proud recipients during
the banquet. There are drawings for door prizes donated by
our generous sponsors.
There is no
way to describe the activities of the evening other than .
. . we know how to have fun! If you want to be a part of the
woodcarving experience you’ll never forget, plan on being
in Maquoketa during all or part of the second full week in
June. Come, join us for “Congress Week”!
This
information is in a tri-fold
flyer in a PDF File that can be shared with others.
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