2012 East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival

The 2012 East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival will be held on February 10-12 in Washington, North Carolina.

Andy Pope's 3rd best of show goldeneyes in the Pamlico River Gunning Pairs Competition

You can download a copy of therr rules brochure here: 2012 EC Rules and also download a copy the entry form: 2012 EC Entry Form

This festival features many IWCA events such as decorative floating, decorative non-floating, IWCA style, shorebird, and canvas divisions. They also have many contests that are unique to their show including several gunning bird and gunning pair contests, contemporary antiques, and a decorative head and bust contest.

In additional to the carving contests, this festival includes manu other fun activities such as the dock dog contests, judging of the NC duck stamp competition, childrens decoy painting contest, and a duck, goose and swan calling contest.

 

 

Member ShowsIWCAEast Carolina Wildlife Festival
2011 Decorative Carver Of The Year Results

Congratulations to the 2011 Decorative Carver of the Year winners:

   Intermediate:

  1.       Ervin Cruey of Cortland, Virginia - 362 Points
  2.       Everett Rodriguez of Salinas, California - 189 points
  3.       Bob Mathews of Fair Oaks, California - 137 points

Ervin Cruey, BOS Carolina Wren, 2011 Core SoundEverett Rodriguez, Virgina Rail, 2011 Columbia FlywayBob Mathews, Kildeer, 2011 California Open

 

 


 

 

 

Novice:

  1.       John Wood of Claremont, North Carolina - 258 points
  2.       Tom Oakes of Walnut Creek, California - 146 points
  3.       Mel Gustafson of Tempe, Arizona - 119 points

For full results, check out the final 2011 Decorative Carver of the Year page

The two first place winners will receive a silver cup trophy to be presented at the East Carolina Show in Washington, North Carolina.  The others are all from the West Coast and will be awarded a plaque at the California Open or if not attending, the plaque will be mailed.

Most of the carvers with the top scores entered a minimum of three shows.  Entering multiple shows increases the chances of winning dramatically.

At the end of the year, if you have won two best of shows, you may be required to advance to the Intermediate level.  Since the advancement rule changed in 2008, the best of show awards do not count toward advancement unless there were at least ten entries in the division. Please check the 2012 rules book for the rules regarding advancement. 

 

For 2012, the board voted a change in point calculation designed to “level the playing field”. 

  • Best of Show 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (40, 35, 30)
  • Category 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (20, 15, 10)

No points will be awarded for species since most shows do not judge decoratives in species.

 

This competition continues to be popular.  We look forward to your participation in 2012.  Check the standings on our website shortly after each show.

Contest ResultsIWCADCOY, Decorative Carver of the Year
The 39th Annual California Open Wildlife Art Festival

The 39th Annual California Open Wildlife Art Festival is just around the corner. The show is on February 11th and 12th at the McMillen Event Center in beautiful San Diego, CA.

Del Herbert's 1st place entry in the 2011 Palm Frond, Decoy contest

You can download the show brochure and entry form at the PSWA's download page.

In addition to being an IWCA member show with the classes you expect at a member show, there are a few additional events that make this show truely one-of a-kind.

Palm Frond Carvings:

These carvings are truely classic California. You can learn more about the history of palm frond carvings in our enrichment article section here: Palm Fronds: Found Wood. The challenge is to portray the “essense of the species” of your subject while retaining as much of the character of the palm frond as possible. There are two divisions. A Decoy division, and a decoritive division. There is also a substantial amount of prize money availble, so if you haven't already, look into this unique contest.

Golden Green Winged Teal:

Carvers are encouraged to freely express themselves and not be limited by rules. Teal will be judged floating, but do not need to self-right. The best Teal will be auctioned off with the proceeds going into a fund to teach kids to carve.

 

Contemporary Working Decoy:

The PSWA has taken a unique approach to the traditional working decoy class. In an effort to simplify the rules and encourage competition, yet still attempt to honor the spirit of the classic working decoy, The PSWA has taylored the event and rules to be as follows:

  • Enter what you have made and use for hunting. 
  • Decoys must self right and have a means of anchor attachment. 
  • Judges will emphasize simplicity and field markings.
  • Other than 1st, 2nd and 3rd BOS, all other entries will be available for sale to the public for $175. These carvers will receive $150 and PSWA will retain $25.00.

These are just a few events of many that make this a special show. Visit the PSWA's website for more details, and download the brochure for the full listing of events.

 

Member ShowsIWCACalifornia Open, PSWA
Byrn came home today

from JoAnne Watson 

Byrn came home today with his walker.  He goes eveywhere with it at a pretty fair speed.  Just don't get in his way.  He is so happy to be home and free.

He will have Physical Therapy three days a week for four weeks and then he should be good as new.  But he probably cannot drive for 3 to 6 months.  My guess is that it will be less than three months of my driving. He is carving and writing letters on the computer.  I would say he is very lucky!

You can call him at home 360 736-1082 or come over and see him.  We'll be around home a lot except for therapy times.  E-mail is good too.

Thanks for all the well wishes, calls, cards, and prayers.  I know they played a big part in his recovery.

Merry Christmas!

Hope to see you at the shows soon,

 

JoAnne and Byrn

IWCA
Byrn Watson suffers a stroke
Many of you have heard by now but our President, Byrn Watson, had a stroke on Monday afternoon, Nov. 28th. The neurologist says it is a small stroke and he will improve with physical therapy. It didn't affect his speech or his muscles, but it did affect his balance pretty badly.

 

JoAnne reports that she is seeing improvement every day, but of course Byrn would like it to go faster.  She's pretty encouraged that he will recover almost 100% (nobody is perfect).  He has a goal to visit his son for Christmas.  It is good to have a goal to strive for.

 

Earlier this week, JoAnne took his carving tools to him to keep busy with his free time during his recovery.  They have approved it for part of his occupational therapy. He is now walking around with a walker to keep his balance but it is getting better.  His spirits are good most of the time but he does need a little cheering up from time to time.

 

He is currently staying at the Providence St. Peter Rehab in Olympia, which the Watson family is very happy with. If everything goes according to schedule, Byrn will be released next Friday or Saturday.

 

Many of you have already reached out to Byrn and JoAnne with cards and phone calls. They are VERY appreciated. It gets a little lonely there at times and Byrn does need the positive energy. So please, keep them coming. His telephone number is 360 493-4445.  He is not busy in the late afternoon and evening so that's a good time to call. If you'd like to send a card, their home address is the best bet for now. JoAnne makes sure he gets his mail delivered daily.

 

194 Summerside Drive
Centralia, WA USA 98531
home phone: 360-736-1082

Thanks for all the good thoughts, well wishes and prayers.  We will keep you posted.
IWCA
24th Annual Core Sound Decoy Festival

The Core Sound Decoy Festival is right around the corner, on December 3rd and 4th.

In addition to the regular categories featured at the show, a new contest has been added this year. The Duplin County Ducks Unlimited Chapter has agreed to sponsor a carving competition at the 2011 Core Sound Decoy Festival.

The bird will be a Lesser Scaup Drake. Decoys must be carved according to IWCA Working Decoy Rules. Prize money is as follows:

  • 1st place $750
  • 2nd place $500
  • 3rd place $250

These are purchase awards and the decoys become the property of Duplin County Ducks Unlimited.  Entry fee is $25/decoy. 

If you haven't already finished those birds, get cracking. Plan on heading out for the weekend or get those birds boxed up and sent out. Mail in's must be received by Wednesday, November 30, and include return postage.

You can download the 2011 rules book and entry forms here:

Visit the home page for the Core Sound show here: http://www.decoyguild.com/decoyfestival/decoycompetitions/. Or check out our show profile on this site.

Ben Heinenmann, 2010 Core Sound IWCA Working Decoy contest 

Member ShowsIWCACore Sound, Ducks Unlimited
The IWCA loses a friend

Dick Troon

Feb. 15, 1928 - Oct. 4, 2011

From the PFDA

We lost a great carver, leader, and friend.
Dick Troon was there competing and volunteering at our first show…
and he never stopped giving the PFDA his positive energy.
Dick was commonly known as the “godfather of the PFDA”
We will all miss him!

 

IWCA
2011 Membership Survey

Compiled by Byrn Watson

774 questionnaires to current members were mailed.  About 24 were returned as undeliverable for a variety of reasons.  So we used 750.  From the 750, we received 110 responses or 14%.  Apparently it is not an unusually low response.

47 responses were from Open carvers, 27 from Intermediate, 27 from Novice and 9 not identified.  
The responses broke down as follows:
1. 90% felt that with minor exceptions the IWCA rules are satisfactory for their needs.
2. 90% felt IWCA should continue with all the programs, if funding permits.
3. Very few suggested which programs to drop if funds not available.  A few said Canvas and a few said the Shorebird and a few said last one in should be the first one out.
4. 90% felt the web-site was important to maintain at some level.
5. 82% felt that the IWCA rules are not too restrictive.
6. 89% felt that IWCA has not outlived its usefulness.
7. 82% felt that IWCA was helpful to local shows and carvers.
8. Suggestions where not plentiful as to what form of Marketing best benefits shows and the carvers.  Those answering tended to say, Wildfowl Carving Magazine, Local advertising, T.V., direct mailing, the Internet and newspapers.
9. 90% had no interest in serving on an IWCA Committee or the Board.  We had twelve carvers that had some interest in serving but several did not sign the form so we are not sure who they were. We have two that expressed an interest in helping with or taking over the website.
10. We did have a number of suggestions on how IWCA can better serve its  members and carvers.
We are gratified that a number of carvers commented that they thought IWCA was doing a good job and gave thanks.  Only a very few (less than 5%) had any negative comments.
Now the challenge to the IWCA Board (specifically to your representative) is to review these findings and come up with better ways to serve the membership, both the shows and the carvers.

 

IWCA
2011 IWCA Membership Survey - Suggestions

Compiled by Byrn Watson

1. Have all shows use all IWCA Divisions/Categories
2. Have a handicapped level for challenged carvers
3. Promote more fish carving competitions
4. Bring the Michigan (North American) show back to Michigan
5. Expand the Web-site with tutorials and more pictures of carvings
6. More ribbons in novice events.   It creates enthusiasm
7. Help each show expand
8. After 3 or 4 wins carvers should bow out
9. More freedom on rules. Most birds are too much the same
10. A Chicago show would be great
11. Stay away from a Masters Class (too exclusive). Compete with the best
12. Judges should not judge their students work
13. Continue with the web-site and newsletter
14. Enforce the IWCA rules that already exist
15. Keep the rules simple and understandable so judges may use them wisely
16. There should be a rule that allows one person to carve and another to paint
17. A list of individuals willing to judge local shows would be helpful
18. Self-righting rule unnecessary for IWCA Style Birds
19. Self-righting, carved nostrils, raised wings rules should be eliminated.  No one can see them from a distance
20. Eliminate “home town” judging
21. Continue to provide uniform standards for all shows
22. Encourage new & existing carvers to enter shows by:
22 a. Providing opportunities to learn, free or low cost seminars, etc
22 b. Provide for all carvers work to be recognized (not just the big guns)
23. New point system for Novice and Int. Decoritive carver of the year. Song bird carvers at disadvantage
24. Better coverage to get news out about carving. More in perhaps unconventional publications
25. Comment section on web-site
26. For Carver of thee Year, limit award points to 3 pieces per carver per show
27. Less rules and support more classes
28. Open monthly question and answer section on website
29. Review rules for fish on base, resins, plastic and Plexiglas
30. Encourage more decorative carving divisions in shows
31. IWCA rules should accommodate regional styles
32. Open an expert level so less talented carvers complete against one another, not against the professionals
33. Show results should be posted on the Net. Competition Magazine only details with Best of Show in Open levels
34. IWCA should be using Facebook
35. Reach out to smaller clubs to help them
36. Use Apps for demos and carving instructions
37. IWCA & World rules should match up.   See about making this happen
38. Do not change the self-righting rule.  All decoy division to self right
39. Highlight that carvers must read rules and judging criteria
40. Get close working alliance with the Ward Foundation
41. Develop traveling show for Best of Show work
42. Find a place for Decoy Makers who don’t wish to compete
43. Promote with Decals & Patches
44. Acknowledge the collectors and sponsors that support the carvers
45. Keep politics out of decisions
46. Too wishy, washy. The rules are there. Stick to them or change
47. More use of web for communication
48. Keep improving the judging
IWCA
Letter from the Board of ODCCA

Dear Friends of the ODCCA,

 

       This message is simply to state that the Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association (ODCCA) has not changed, regardless of any indications otherwise. We are still an organization which satisfies two very important factions: carvers and collectors.  Each year the ODCCA holds its show and sale on the third weekend in March at the Westlake Holiday Inn. This has not changed. In fact, pencil in our show date onto your calendar March 16, 17, and 18, 2012.  Jon Deeter of Guyette and Schmidt Auctions and Ken Cole of Michigan have voluntarily quit the ODCCA organization. Their leaving is unfortunate; however, as everything in life, memberships change and evolve over time.

Any new Ohio related decoy show that may emerge will be in no way affiliated with the ODCCA Show and Sale.  The ODCCA has not split into two groups. We are still one club, representing two groups, united in one purpose.

A new show is an attempt by a few non-ODCCA members, to change the format and reputation of the Westlake Decoy Show, which you all have helped build and have been enjoying its Success over the past 35 years.  Our focus is on organizing what most think to be one of the greatest decoy shows in the country. This has not changed.

        The Ohio Decoy Show will be held March 16, 17, and 18, 2012, in the Holiday Inn, Westlake Ohio.  The home the vintage decoy collectors and carvers have made in Westlake is still yours. The Show events will go on as usual.  For any show information please contact Carole Kmetz, (419)798-1274, or Mark Costilow (440) 988-4114

       We look forward to continuing the many traditions at our show. These include: Room to Room Vintage and Contemporary decoy sales,   Carving contests, Kids events, Carving and Vintage decoy seminars, Vintage decoy contests, The Kangas Award, Bill Green Memorial Display, Saturday night auction and Raffle, Ballroom sales, etc.  We also plan on bringing back, by popular demand, the Swim and Sell event Friday evening.  Other than missing a couple faces you will not recognize any difference.

     Our mission statement and purpose included in our bylaws is as follows, and has not changed.

     The mission of the Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association (a Not For Profit Organization) is to promote the preservation of our waterfowl heritage through collecting of old (vintage) decoys and creation of new decoys.  We recognize the artistry and craftsmanship of decoys and their uniqueness as American Folk Art.  We also strive to convey an appreciation of our wetlands and their contribution to our environment. 

The purpose of the association is:

  1. To bring together those people who are interested in collecting the old and contemporary decoys and related artifacts.
  2. To study and research the history of decoys, especially decoys and carvers of Ohio.
  3. To provide an opportunity of the beginner as well as the advanced collector and/or carver to participate in a seminar from time to time. 
  4. To promote and encourage Ohio decoy collectors, carvers and waterfowl artists.
  5. To strive to convey the important contribution our wetlands contribute to the environment.   Our support may be helping create or improve existing wetlands which is the very reason for our waterfowl heritage and creation of decoys.
  6. To publish a newsletter.

We have met the third weekend in March, with this same mission and purpose, successfully for many years.  Nothing has changed.  We are the Ohio Decoy Show. Come celebrate with us:  Same place, same time, March 16, 17, and 18, 2012, Westlake, Ohio.

Board of Directors ODCCA

Curt Johns                  Carole Kmetz              Cliff Kastl

Duane Ganser             Tom Whitlock              Gary Joe Bryan

Kyan Kraus                 Bob Lund                    Mark Costilow

Lorrie Johns
IWCA