Creede prepares to welcome woodcarvers

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By Lyndsie Ferrell
CREEDE— Summer is in full swing in Creede and with the Fourth of July celebrations in the past, the town is now preparing for their annual Woodcarvers Rendezvous. The event is celebrating their 27th year in Creede and have something special in store for those who wish to learn the art of woodcarving from talented instructors from around the nation.
The event began 27 years ago when founders Fran and Ivan Vanaken, who after years of teaching the art of woodcarving in schools to students, thought Creede would be the perfect place to start a woodcarving club. According to the history, Fran invited members of another club based out of the Front Range to the area to see if they were interested in hosting an event in Creede. It didn’t take long for word to spread about the unique venue and beautiful location before the Woodcarver’s Rendezvous to take hold. The event has been a favorite in the area ever since.
This year’s event will feature more than 30 instructors that come from all walks of life to teach the art of woodcarving to participants. It takes place in the Underground Community Center located north of town where instructors and vendors will pack the long corridors with a wide variety of wooden homemade gifts and classes for participants.
Beginning on Saturday, July 14, the event continues all week long with live and silent auctions, classes, lectures from several instructors, daily drawings and ends with a banquet to close out the week. The event is made possible through the auction items that are donated by participating artists that come to not only share their expertise in the art of woodcarving but to share their personal works of art as well.
Students that register for the event can learn everything from carving walking sticks to mastering the art of creating wood figures with a chisel. Participants learn how to make Christmas ornaments, wooden drums, wood burning techniques and much more. There are even classes that teach the art of stone carving, making jewelry, water color painting and bead crocheting.
Though the event has slowed over recent years, with fewer participants, event coordinators are preparing for a much more successful year this year and ask that anyone wishing to participate in any of the classes, preregister by July 16. Registration for any leftover openings in the classes will be available on the first day of the event.
Not only do visitors come to learn new art forms, they stay to enjoy the many shops in and around Creede, take time to enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities and visit the Creede Repertory Theatre.
Participants of all ages are sure to find something to do for the entire week, so don’t miss out and register now. For a full class schedule or to preregister for the event please visit www.creedewoodcarvers.com.


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