All carved house images by Terry Hajek
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Alison Cook’s Gallery
Removing large amount of wood from a burl for a bowl using Native approach 
Finished Burl Bowl 
My first carving. 2007 in Northern Alberta Carvers Association-Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 
One of many castles I carve when the piece of bark has a nice flat top. 
Long ladder from a primitive cave to a castle and modern house. 
My most ambitious carving. Three feet high. Can you find the hidden face? 
Learning to carve piercings- for example an opening behind a post 
Every carving I’ve done has a tree. Jim Hunter showed me the value of keeping outside bark for the tree 
I like to say that the bark tells me what it wants to be. Well, this piece must have said ., “I want a BIG roof.” 
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What happens at our show?
Any carver or gourd artist who wishes may enter one or more pieces in the show competition for judging.
There are three wood carving levels: Novice, Advanced, and Expert, The gourd judging levels are Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Master. The entrant chooses the level they feel they best fit into and then choose the category for the piece. Each piece is examined by show judges and may be awarded a blue, red, or white ribbon, based on the merit of the piece. All entries are on display during the show regardless of whether an award was given or not. All entries must remain on display until the end of the show at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. The following special awards for both wood carving and gourds are also presented, some with cash awards: 1st Best of Show, 2nd Best of Show, 3rd Best of Show, People’s Choice,
Other Activities
Free woodcarving and gourd art classes and demonstrations are given during the show
Free tool sharpening is also available.
There is also a Silent Auction of donated items, many of them hand-carved.
There are also free hourly door prize drawings throughout the weekend. Our Grand Raffle Prize drawing at the end of the day on Sunday features wonderful wood hand-carvings and artistically decorated gourds. Tickets are on sale throughout the show hours and before the show.
Individual carvers have items on display throughout the weekend. Some items are for sale, and many are only for display.
We also have excellent and well-known vendors from around the country. These vendors supply high quality tools, books, and supplies to our woodcarvers.
Randy Moore of Moore Roughouts and Wood travels from North Dakota to our show every year.
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Christmas Party
The 2022 club Christmas Party was held on December 4, 2023 at the La Sierra community center in Carmichael, CA. We had a gift exchange of carvings and members brought carved Christmas ornaments. There was a catered meal provided
Christmas ornament carvings 
Entertainment by ukulele band 
Wayne Yeager and Christmas ornament tree 
Jim Hunter and his carving exchange 
Diana Kwan and her carving exchange 
Joe You and his carving exchange 
Alison Cook and her carving exchange 
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2014 CWA show
In 2014, the show was held on the weekend of May 3 and 4 at the Scottish Rite Center at 6151 H Street, Sacramento, CA. Photos of the 2014 Best of Show entries are shown below:
Michael Bueina, Fish/Reptile, painted 
Ivan Lee, Decorative Decoy 
Diana Kwan, General Relief -
2022 Show
CAPITAL WOODCARVERS AND GOURD ARTISTS ANNUAL SHOW
On May 21 and 22, 2022 Capital Woodcarvers association held its 50th anniversary Woodcarving and Gourd Competition and Show at the Sacramento Scottish Rite Temple. Thanks also to Bob Travis and Joe You for performing the difficult task of judging the many wood carvings that were entered into competition. We also thank the gourd judges Colleen Ballard, and Carol Des Voignes.
The big winners in the wood carving competition were Diana Kwan, Best of Show; Nick Baldemor, Second Best of Show; Andy Hiroshima, Third Best of Show; Caricature Carvers of America Award, Andy Hiroshima; and People’s Choice Award, Joe You.
Diana Kwan
Best of Show, “Blue Chrysanthemum Vase on Pine Needle Background” basswood chip carving
Nick Baldemor Sedon Best of Show ”Tribute to the Master” bass rood relief 
Andy Hiroshima-Third Best of Show, “Rancor”, Basswood, In the Round Gourd winners were Bill Wilson from Folsom tied with Diana Inslee for “People’s Choice”. Bill won for his Filigree work and Diana for using Kwik Wood to create 3D Iris’s on her Gourd. Janice Horner won “Best of Show” for her Colorful Bird. There were many other first and second places in the various categories. Gourd works of art received many accolades from wood carvers and gourd artists alike.
Gourd art by Janice Horner 
Gourd artists Bill Wilson, Janice Horner and Patty Fisher (front) 
Gourd art by Patty Fisher 
Bill Wilson and his gourds Nelson Krouse -“Missed the Detour”. Basswood caricature. 15 inches tall.
Andy Hiroshima- California Carvers Guild Award, “Pirate”, Basswood, In the Round. six inches tall.
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2023 Show
May 20-21 Scottish Rite Masonic Center – 6151 H St. Sacramento CA 95819
Saturday May 20: 9-5, Sunday May 21: 9-4
CAPITAL WOODCARVERS AND GOURD ARTISTS ANNUAL SHOW
Noah’s Arc carved by regulars at Moday carving session at Shirley’s shop Nelson Krouse and Joe You discuss carving techniques at 2022 Show 
Nick Baldemor and Tony Marta comparing notes at 2022 Show 
Gourds on display at 2022 Show Free woodcarving and gourd art demonstrations are given during the show.
Any carver or gourd artist who wishes may enter the show competition for judging.
There are three wood carving levels: Novice, Advanced, and Expert, The gourd judging levels are Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Master. The entrant chooses the level they feel they best fit into and then choose the category for the piece. Each piece is examined by show judges and may be awarded a blue, red, or white ribbon, based on the merit of the piece. All entries are on display during the show regardless of whether an award was given or not.
All entries were on display during the show
The 2023 show was held at the Scottish Rite Center at 6151 H Street, Sacramento, CA. The Capital Woodcarvers Association show is the largest show in California. For the last few years, the shows have been enriched by participation by the local Gourd Societies
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Meetings
Bi-monthly regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month at 10:00 a.m. until noon at . A brief business meeting is held at the opening of our second Wednesday meeting. In July and August we have only carving sessions with no business meetings.
We carve during both meetings, and carving mentoring is provided by our more experienced carvers for any interested people at all meetings.
Our meeting place is the Woodcraft store, 9523 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95827. Thank you to the woodcraft shop for allowing us to use this fabulous meeting place.
Weekly meetings are held on Mondays at Shirley Coffelt’s shop on 4651 Moddison Avenue, Sacramento, CA, 95819 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9-12 a.m. Participants work on a project of their choice and share carving information and skill development techniques of mutual interest. Coffee is always available. This is a chance to share good talk, good food and lots of carving information with creative and talented people, in an informal atmosphere.
About US
CWA is a tax-exempt woodcarving club organized to promote the art of woodcarving and improve the skill of its members.
Contact us at:
cwasecretary01@gmail.com
2024 Show
There is no show currently planned for 2024. For more information contact Leroy Stebner, President,(707) 363-4446 , or Andy Hiroshima, Vice-President (16) 206-2028
Capital Woodcarvers Association 