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Welcome
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Rochester Woodcarvers!
The Rochester Woodcarvers Club is a gathering of individuals from around the Rochester Minnesota area who are interested in woodcarving. Everyone is welcome whether they are just interested in learning about woodcarving, are considering starting to carve, or are beginner, experienced or master carvers.
Join us at the next meeting of the 2023-2024 season
Visitors welcome!
For general meeting information and location check out the Club Information menu above.
Upcoming Meetings & Speakers
April 20: Dala Horses Ride into Rochester (see below)
May 18: Steve Elliott – Chainsaw carving with demonstration
June 14: Spring Picnic
Please invite your spouse, family, friends and neighbors to our meetings!
Remember to bring your “Show and Tell” items to let us know what you have been doing!
48th Anniversary Annual Show
Our Annual show has wrapped up. Even with the snow on Sunday which limited attendance, we had a very nice show.
Other details about the show including links to media coverage and photos at the show are on the 2024 Annual Show page.
To see information and photos from previous shows, checkout various shows under the “Events” menu at the top of the page.
A Dala Posse
The club is asking for everyone to make and decorate a Dala horse. This can be any style that you wish. We encourage people to do their own thing. If you want to make it a half inch or three feet tall, go for it! The same goes for the finish – dressed to the nines (like a traditional Dala), unfinished (showing the wood grain pattern) or your own style of design (even polka-dots). If you don’t wish to do the customary 3-D horse, consider other styles like chip carving or wood burning.
Members will bring them to the April meeting where we will present a few videos about the history and current state of Dala horses along with a bit of mythology.
Keep an eye out for these horses at the annual show.
If you can not provide the wood, blanks are available for club members.
So join the posse – grab some wood and start making wood chips!
Next Monthly Meeting – April 20
Dala Horses Ride into Rochester
This month has a special meeting planned for April. It is all about Dala horses – formally Dalecarlian horses. These have become an unofficial icon of Sweden. This folk art figure goes back to at least the early 1600’s.
We will present a group of videos that cover everything from the history of Dalas through the making of contemporary horses. There is even a short fairy tale about the magic of a Dala horse.
The club members will be bringing the Dala horses that they have been working on. We expect to see a variety of styles, from the traditional style horse to chip carved, rosemaled and wood burned ones. Even some one inch tall horses.
We also welcome any commercial horses that people have collected to join the posse.
Additionally, we will be taking nominations for next year’s officers.