Home
Welcome
to the
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 2025-2026 season
Visitors welcome!
For general meeting information and location check out the Club Information menu above.
Upcoming Meetings & Speakers
May 16 – Bruce Ankeny – Carving a Newer Style Gnome (One time change in meeting location)
June 20 – Spring Potluck Picnic
September 19 – First Fall meeting
Year round Weekly Carve-Ins continue on Tuesday and Wednesday (details here)
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!
Skyway Display
The club has an opportunity to display our artwork in the Rochester Skyway this summer.
I do not have the details; Ron Lyman is coordinating this event.
Please bug him to release details. Try his email: relyman48@gmail.com
New Carving Learning Opportunities
Some of our club members are offering small group carving classes (chip carving, creating a song bird, sharpening your knife, …)
To get more information and connect with these experts, send an email to info@rochesterwoodcarvers.com
Recent Club Events
50th Anniversary Woodcarving Show
The club’s first meeting was on January 10, 1976. 50 years later we are still creating wood chips!
Our annual show this year added some new things to celebrate the anniversary.
The show was on Saturday and Sunday March 28 & 29, 2026
Photos of People’s Choice pieces, raffle items and candid photos at the show are on the show page Here.
A number of videos (both at the show and media coverage) have links there also.
Festival of Trees
The tree has been decorated! The “Carver and Turner Circus” is in full swing
The tree has a red striped tent in place of a tree skirt. Various circus acts, performers, animals and props populate the scene. A 30 piece garland is a circus parade marching around the branches. More than 150 ornaments fill the tree.
After the Festival, the Rochester Athletic Club became its home.
Details of the tree and its photos are on the 2025 Tree page.
“FREE STUFF” Day
The February club meeting started with “FREE STUFF” Day. A large collection of items have been donated to the club recently. While there was some wood and blanks, the majority were items used or relating to woodcarving. There were various hand tools along with some power tools. Platforms and unusual decorations that can enhance the presentation of your artwork.
All of the items were available free to club members along with many other folks on our very extended mailing list. “Free Will” donations were requested and the money will be used to purchase tools and materials for carving classes sponsored by the club.
Next Monthly Meeting – 16 May 2026
Bruce Ankeny – Carving a Newer Style Gnome
(One time change in meeting location)
NOTICE: Our normal church will not be available in May. Instead, we will meet at Trinity Presbyterian Church. This is just east of Century High School at 2577 Schaeffer Lane NE, Rochester. Enter on the south side, Room: C3/4. Click HERE to show the location on Google Maps. Doors open by 9:15, Normal 9:45 start time.
Bruce will be in person in Rochester and do a demo of one of his newer gnomes.
I will be bringing a verity of carvings to show my progress since I started carving in 1982 through the present.
I will have a cutout of a gnome and carve as much as I can in time allowed.
Some roughouts will be available for purchase.
