Central Alabama Woodcarving Association Fact Sheet

Central Alabama Woodcarving Association

Fact sheet
This page is updated from time–to–time, please check back!

The Central Alabama Woodcarving Association (a non-profit corporation) is a woodcarving club formed as the P. M Chippers, Inc in November 1982. The original members lived in Prattville, AL and Montgomery, AL, hence "P. M." in the title.

In June, 2007 the organization changed its name to the Central Alabama Woodcarving Assocation to more accurately reflect what the organization has become, an association of woodcarvers from throughout central and south-central Alabama.

As stated in our constitution, the purpose of the Association is: "To increase local community interest in all forms of woodcarving and to advance, encourage, and promote on behalf of interested persons the development of personal woodcarving skills."

The Association currently has more than 50 members and meets on the second Monday of each month, 7:00 pm, at the Chisholm Community Center, Montgomery, AL (next to the Montgomery Zoo). Visitors are welcome. At each meeting members and visitors are encouraged to carve on a small "project of the month", usually of the size and nature that carving can be completed during the meeting.

Central Alabama Woodcarving Association sponsors the following activities:

The Southeastern Woodcarving School (SWS) each July since 1985. SWS-2009 was held at the Doster Center, Prattville, AL in July, 2009. The school is a three (3) day event featuring noted carving instructors from throughout the Southeast. Classes in caricatures, birds, relief, realistic animals and others are offered. Craft classes are also offered for non-carvers.

Beginner and Intermediate woodcarving classes (eight weeks of instruction) each February and September at the Chisholm Community Center, Montgomery, AL. Since 1984, over 300 people have completed these classes and added another aspect of enjoyment to their lives.

Yearly woodcarving demonstrations at the Alabama National Fair and the Montgomery Zoo Day.

Periodic weekend carving seminars featuring instructors from around the Southeast. Class content, date, time and place, to be announced.

Upon request, members of organization are available to demonstrate woodcarving at local schools, community centers, shopping areas and scouting days.

As the P. M. Chippers the organization has donated several woodcarvings to community agencies:

Full size eagle with a six foot wing span, to the State of Alabama, Department of Conservation, State Parks Division, now on permanent display in the main lobby of Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge, Guntersville, AL.

Several full size carousel animals, including a horse and lion, to the Alabama National Fair, Montgomery, AL.

Composite (quilt) of zoo animals to the Montgomery City Zoo, now on display at the Zoo's main offices.