The annual Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous — one of the biggest art celebrations around — is slated to begin this Saturday in Ridgway and will extend through March 18.
The event features more than 200 carvers from across the world who showcase chainsaw carving demonstrations and offer various education seminars throughout the week, according to master organizer Liz Boni.
“As you come into Main Street, you’ll see all of the bustling activity that goes on with this event for one full week, all throughout Ridgway,” said Boni. “This year, we have carvers coming from the countries of Argentina, Australia, Scotland, England and Canada. The Rendezvous also draws people from local areas like Ridgway and Bradford, and all the way out from Texas, Colorado and Washington, and everywhere in-between.”
Boni called the event “a great opportunity to have art showcased from all over the world.
“Each carver will have their work to sell throughout the week, and will also donate one carving to be featured at the carver’s auction that will conclude the festivities at the end of the week.”
Boni said the Rendezvous will take place in several different locations across Ridgway. Maps will be available at the Ridgway Visitors Center.
“It’s always a challenge, logistically, to find out where to place everyone and how to create an organization of space, but we always manage it,” Boni explained. “Last year, we had over 200 carvers and approximately 45,000 people in attendance, and everything went smoothly.”
And preparation for this year’s event has also gone without a hitch, Boni noted.
“The Appalachian Art Studio is the primary organizer, so it’s mostly our family that sponsors the event,” Boni described. “However, we have a lot of volunteers and support from the local community. It’s a lot of work from a lot of people, but it is always worthwhile when we see all that the event becomes from year to year.”
Brothers Rick and Randy Boni are responsible for the idea of the Rendezvous. With the help of their wives, the brothers decided to gather a few friends and family members with the intention of carving designs and figures into wood with chainsaws. The event began small and simple, but would set the stage for this annual event.
After the second Rendezvous, Rick and Liz Boni took up the reins to organize the event, with the help of two of Rick’s brothers, when Randy and his wife moved away from the area. The event has since flourished, growing from a small friends and family gathering to become an event that hosts hundreds of carvers annually and has gained worldwide acclaim.
“It’s an artform that started in 1999 and has become a worldwide movement that incorporates, and celebrates, the use of technology and power tools, as well as creativity and art at its most intricate and unique,” Boni said. “We are honored to be a part of such a beloved movement.”
The Rendezvous brings in recognition, awareness and revenue — everything a small town like Ridgway needs, Boni said.
“The best part is not only meeting people from all over the world and celebrating art and the collaborative efforts of our carvers, but the overall electricity you can feel walking through Ridgway during this spectacular event,” she said. “It’s so much fun. People who come, come back. It’s special to all of us — and you just have to see it to fully understand the beauty of it.”
This is the 18th year for the Rendezvous, which has expanded from a three-day event to a full week.
This year’s Rendezvous schedule of events is as follows:
Saturday (March 11) – carvers arrive and set-up at all locations from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.
Sunday (March 12) – carving at all locations will take place from noon to 5 p.m.
Monday (March 13) – carving seminars “Welcome to the 2017 Rendezvous” with Rick and Liz Boni, “Carving Full Time” with Paul Waclo, “Top Ten Most Common Chainsaw Carving Mistakes” and Argentinian sculptors will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion, followed by carving at all locations from noon to 5 p.m.
Tuesday (March 14) – carving seminars “Metal and Wood Sculpting” with Rob Bast and “Speed Carving and Making a Living as a Full-Time Carver” with “Mountain” Mike Ayers will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion, followed by carving at all locations from noon to 5 p.m.
Wednesday (March 15) – carving seminars “Blocking and Tackling of Chainsaw Carving: Practical Applications” and “Business Aspects of Chainsaw Carving over the Long Haul” will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion, followed by carving at all locations from noon to 5 p.m.
Thursday (March 16) – carving seminars with Germany’s Walk of Fame carver Bob King and “Seeking Inspiration and Finding Creation” with Thor from Earth will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion, followed by carving at all locations from noon to 5 p.m.
Friday (March 17) – carving at all locations will take place from noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday (March 18) – carving at all locations will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a live auction on Court Street will begin at noon and run until all carvings are gone.
