Wood carvers to show art at Naperville community center
Wood carving goes beyond those sticks rebel teens and older men on porches pare down with pocketknives.
While carving may seem more like a craft, experts with the North Suburban Carvers Club say it's an art form to respect.
"Some people might think of it as a craft, but it's more of a form of art sculpture," said Shelly Weiser of Naperville, the club's president. "It's very artistic."
About 40 carvers will show and sell their own works today at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville.
The North Suburban Carvers Club meets from 6 to 9 p.m. every first and third Monday of the month at the Deer Grove Leisure Center in Bensenville.
The club boasts about 120 members, with about 50 who attend regularly.
This is the second year for the show in Naperville, and it is one of two the club organizes annually. The other show is in October at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.
In addition to their own personal carvings, they've also worked together as a club to sell wooden ornaments. Proceeds from the ornament sales go to the Shriners Hospital for Children.
"It's some of the best carvers in the Midwest," Weiser said. "They've all been doing it for a long time."
Carving styles will feature relief carving done on a flat wooden board, round carving such as wood sculptures in three dimensions, wood furniture carvings and ornamental carving on wood.
People presenting have won many awards, including national awards that Weiser himself won since taking up the hobby long after retirement.
Weiser carves in the style of Oriental pieces that typically would be found in China or in museums.
From nature statue scenes to animal letter openers, to Egyptian sunrise statues to religious wall hangings and statues, members of the North Suburban Carvers cover all genres.
"They're very realistic," he said. "It's another form of art."
Besides his involvement with the club, Weiser teaches carving to kids, many of whom are home-schooled, for free several days a week.
A table will feature his students' carvings.
"They're very, very good," he said.
The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. For information, visit northsuburbancarvers.com.
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>If you go</b></p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>What:</b> North Suburban Carvers Club show </p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>When:</b> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, May 2</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Where:</b> Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Info:</b> <a href="http://northsuburbancarvers.org" target="new">northsuburbancarvers.org</a></p>