1997 Highlights
1997 Best in show
That was the question being asked throughout the Putnam Museum during the 1998 International Woodcarvers Congress this summer. A professional carver from Elizabeth, Illinois, David Seagraves has never entered in competition at the Congress. In fact, though not confirmed, he may have never competed at all, anywhere. As you can see by the magnificent 24" x 20" piece to the right titled, "Blackhawk", David should have been competing a long time ago. He took First Place in Class 850 - Realistic Busts, then went on to take Best Group J - Human Figure, Busts/Head/Mask. And finally, Best of Show honors went to this virtual unknown in the competitive woodcarving world. David was very pleased to accept the $1500 "Henry Taylor Best of Show Cash Award" and promised to be back next year to defend his title.
1997 First runner-up
One past Best of Show winner who came out in full force this year was J. Christopher White, now residing in Loveland, Colorado. He entered three of his highly stylized sculptures and did quite well with all three. The one pictured above, 20" x 34" x 16", is titled "Beyond the Storm". It earned Chris the First Runner-up Best of Show honor. He was awarded the Woodcraft Supply Corporation $500 Gift Certificate and $250 cash from various AWC sponsors.
1997 Second runner-up
His second big winner was an unusually long and delicate piece titled, "Beauty in the Winds". It measures 44" from top to tip of tail, of which 24" is all tail. A most difficult piece to photograph. It impressed the judges enough to take Second Runner-up Best of Show for Chris. He received a $500 cast award for his efforts. His third piece ended up taking the Peoples Choice award shown in the Special Award section. Those three pieces also took First, Second, and Third Place, respectively, in the Open Class category. The Open Class, as you probably know, is where past Best of Show winners are obliged to compete. It looks like Mr. Seagraves is going to be butting heads with the big boys after just one showing at the Congress.
The Wood Magazine Peoples' Choice Award
This is the third of J. Christopher White's carvings that did really well at the show. In the competition, it ended up in Third Place in the Open Class competition. But most important to Chris is the popularity it garnered from his peers and the general viewing public. I think he relished this award more than any ribbon he received from the judges. Chris gratefully accepted the $500 WOOD Magazine Peoples' Choice Award. "Songbirds in the Making", obviously a very eye-catching work of art, measures 36" x 21" x 21".