Woodcarvers from all over the world will have their work showcased at the locally-organized, virtual woodcarving show.
While other events have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19, Mike Cohene, president of the Richmond Carvers Society, has managed to ensure the 31st Annual Wood Carving Show will go on – albeit online.
The idea of hosting a virtual show came to Cohene in the middle of the night, but he didn’t expect so many people would have joined the show after sharing their event’s poster on different social media platforms.
“We have only been online for more than a week, and we’ve got 36 carvings already. We are getting woodcarvers from Tennessee, Montana, Manchester and a guy who even phoned me from London, England. There is no limit,” said Cohene.
The 31st Annual Carving Show will be launched on May 31, and is available to carvers at all skill levels, from beginners to expert. As a carver boasting 11 years of experience, Cohen will also join the competition with his latest work.
According to Cohene, carving is a great way to release stress and anxiety, and could benefit everyone, especially during this time of crisis.
“When you start carving, you get deep into thoughts to create various things. It’s like going to an art gallery to look at various pieces and say, ‘I really like that. I wonder what the artist thought when they created that,’” said Cohene.
Cohene has won multiple awards during the past few years, including third place in the 2019 National Fish Carving Virtual Championship, so it’s hard to believe that the only thing he carved 11 years ago was a marshmallow roasting stick.
“On a hot summer day in 2009 in Steveston, B.C., I was visiting the Steveston Farmers Market when I came across a booth that read Richmond Carvers Society. There was a gentleman there who encouraged me to join the club, saying he would teach me everything...so my journey began. There is great self-fulfillment in creating a carved piece,” said Cohene, noting that everyone is welcome to join the club.
Participants for the annual carving show are required to submit two images of their art works before May 28, and the general public can view all the results through an online gallery following judging on June 1 and June 2.
For more information, visit https://richmondcarvers.com/2020-carving-show/.
