The Affiliated Wood
Carvers Limited is a non-profit corporation, which publicly promotes the
fine art of wood carving through sponsorship of the International
Woodcarvers Congress.
As parent organization of
the International Woodcarvers Congress, the AWC sponsors an event called
"Congress Week" held during the third full week of June in Davenport,
Iowa.
The
competition and show is held at the Mississippi
Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport, IA, and is open to the public,
for a fee, from Thursday through Sunday of "Congress Week". Other
activities during the week include; a series of related carving
seminars,
the Annual Banquet, and the Annual AWC Membership Meeting.
Membership
Membership to the AWC and
participation in the International Woodcarvers Congress is open to
anyone interested in woodcarving. The $10.00 annual membership
($15.00 foreign) to AWC offers you informational newsletters, , access to the seminars and competition
for a fee, and a copy of the annual
pictorial Show Report. We encourage you to join AWC and promote
woodcarving through participation in the Congress.
Competition
The
International Woodcarvers Congress offers over 50 separate categories in
the judging competition. Cash awards and prizes have totaled over
$17,000 yearly thanks to our very generous sponsors and supporters.
The competition is judged
each year by three individuals who are considered experts in the
woodcarving field. They are chosen by the Judges Selection
Committee. Following the competition, these judges hold critique
sessions to discuss their criteria used to select the winners in each
category.
Competition is open to all
levels of carvers in any age category. Your membership to AWC is
necessary to compete in the show, unless your are 18 or younger.
Education
Each year, the AWC hosts a variety of
interesting and informative seminars taught by some of the foremost
carvers in the world. Classes range from four hours to week-long
seminars. topics include woodcarving, clay sculpting, painting,
tool sharpening, and many more. There is also at least one seminar
offered for the non-carver..
Impromptu gatherings of the carvers during the evening hours offer many
opportunities to pick up carving techniques or trade secrets.
Specific seminar topics and cost will be announced in the AWC newsletter.
Fellowship
The Annual Awards Banquet is held on
the Saturday night of Congress Week, and offers a prime opportunity to
meet new friends and renew old friendships.
Competition awards are presented
to the winners in the various categories during the banquet. These
are drawings for door prizes donated by our generous sponsors.
There is no way to describe
the other activities of the evening other than -- we're a fun group!
If you have ever been at this function, you know what we are talking
about. If not, make plans to be in Davenport during part of all of
the third week in June. "Congress Week" -- a wood carving
experience you don't want to miss.
