2003 Highlights
(Click on images to enlarge them)
Fred Cogelow wins 2003 Best of Show
The gentleman in the flat-brimmed hat pictured below is Fred Cogelow from Willmar, Minnesota, creator of "The Knuteson Twins" and winner of the 2002 Best of Show that includes the Henry Taylor $1500 Best of Show Cash Award. Fred responded to a request for a picture and brief biography.
Fred Cogelow Autobiography for `03 Report
It's bin a long time since old fredgelow first made a splash with five Best of Group awards at the `83 Congress. Reluctantly recognizing his advancing age and decrepitude, he conducted a farewell to childhood tour in 1999. . .. it didn't take. Owing to the enduring irresppressibility of immaturity and the intervention of the Australians, fredgelow will return in `04 with his latest toys. He can't assert that they'll be a credible contribution to the art form, but he promises they'll delight any average three year old.
2003 First runner-up
Marvin Kaisersatt, Faribault, Minnesota earned the First Runner-up Best of Show Award . He earned a $500 cash award sponsored by the Mid-America Woodcarvers Association of Omaha, NE and a $250 cash gift provided by Rick Frels. The carving, placed First in the Caricature, Group E competition as well as First in Class 505 - Combining of two or more subjects. Marv was also the Featured Carver of the 2002 Woodcarvers Congress.
2003 Second runner-up
The "Indigo Bunting" at the left is the creation of Robert Guge, Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, USA. This carving won Second Runner-up Best of Show after winning First Place in Group F - Birds as well as First Place in C1ass 603 - Songbird - realistic, painted. Second Runner-up position wins a $250 cash gift provided by Rick Frels and $100 cash gift provided by AWC.
This beautiful carving also won the Wildfowl Carving Magazine Best of Birds Award.
This 1/2 scale carving measures 11" 3" x 5".
The Dastra Tool People's Choice Award
Leonid Zakurdayev won Peoples Choice with his relief carving titled "Nature of Our Desires" The $500 Peoples Choice Cash Award is sponsored by Dastra Tools. They are imported by Frank Mittermeier, Inc. from the Bronx, New York.
The Flexcut Creativity Award
"The Flexcut Creativity Award" with its $500 Cash Award, is to be given "to the artist whose treatment of wood advances the artform of carving as an expressive medium through their creative carving techniques and fresh insight of subject matter." The award is sponsored by Flexcut Carving Tools, Inc. This years carving is Cousal Table carved by Leonid Zakurdayev titled "Art Nouveau" and measuring 13" x 40" x 29"
The Merle Byram Memorial Award
Being a First Place winner in Class 929 - Santa Claus, gets you a $100 Cash Award sponsored by Audrey Byram. She sponsored the award in honor of her husband and our past AWC Director, Merle.
Bruce Futterer, Russellville, Arkansas, won the award with his carving, titled: "Santa Overwhelmed".
The Alice Vaughn Memorial Award
Linda Langenberg's "Mus" - a moose standing in water- won First Place in Class 401 - Realistic Animal - Full Figure, Painted, thus winning the Alice Vaughn Memorial Award. Her piece measures 11.5" x 11.5" x 7.5".
The award is a $100 Cash Award sponsored by AWC Members, Sara & Larry Cornwell in Alice's honor.
The Bob Austin Memorial Award
The Bob Austin Memorial Award is a $100 Cash Award sponsored by Bob's local club, the Belleville Holzschnitzers. This year the winner is Mike Trezek's carving of Silverback Gorillas that won First Place in Class 407 - Combining of two or more animals in a scene as well as the Third Place in the Animal Group.