What to expect:
The Doane Experience offers a dynamic carving experience.
Class sizes of approximately 8 to 12 students allow for individual attention from instructors.
Students will meet their instructors the evening of June 6th. Classes unofficially start at this instructor meet and greet so bring your tools and plan to pay your instructor fees at that time.
Students will experience 5 days of carving and instruction.
There will be opportunities for impromptu classes during the evening. Sign-up sheets will be posted at registration.
Tool Vendor Stadtlander Woodcarving will be onsite providing access to carving tools, books, and much more.
Throughout the week visitors are welcome to visit classes while they are in session. Many of these visitors are past attendees, or those interested in attending next year.
There will be a Student Show Thursday June 11th displaying completed projects from all classes.
1. Realistic Colored Pencil - Rhonda Smith All Levels
This is a non-carving class. Go from beginner to WOW! We are excited to offer a class on photo realistic colored pencil this year. This years project will be a highland Cow and one additional project of your choice. Whether you have little or no artistic ability, this class will give you a feeling of accomplishment and a finished picture suitable for framing
CCA Member Ryan Olsen will be teaching five days of carving and painting any of the roughouts he has created. We will use hand tools and a good light is encouraged
Carve a long stem rose . This is a hand carving class, no power tools needed. The approximate completed sizes range from 9-10 inches. It will be out of basswood
CCA member, PJ Driscoll will teach five days carving one of PJ’s award winning roughouts. He will have many caricatures roughouts to choose from. The approximate completed sizes range from 9-10 inches. It will be out of basswood. The project you choose may take some extra time in the evening to complete.
Five days of carving and painting a full bdied Rhino from a rough-out. The Rhino will be about 7” tall and 12” long. Instructor will provide detailed instructions and reference pictures. This carving will be carved and textured using power tools. It will be painted in the class and textured with a special texturing technique. You will also learn habitat ideas. You will use both power and hand tools, extension cords, dust collector required. and good lighting is the responsibility of each student. Bases will be available for an additional cost; however, students will need to preorder the bases. A complete list of tools will be sent to the students that sign up. Paints will be provided.
6. Realistic Human Bust - Vic Hood All Levels
The blanks for the class will be made of butternut and large enough to carve a one half to three quarter size human bust. This is not a portraiture class but subject based, for example, an American Indian, Sea Captain, Mountain Man, etc. It is up to the student to decide what they want to carve. The structure of the class allows for all levels of carving experience, from beginners to accomplished. There will be models available to help students to develop ideas and design.
Five days of carving a full size mourning dove in a restful pose. This will be carved in tupelo. The instructor will provide a band-sawed blank, base, habitat materials, and a set of museum grade glass eyes. A carving and paint guide will be distributed at the beginning of the course Dust collector required, face masks, wood burner, knife, sandpaper, paint and brushes, ruler, pencils, and light.
Enjoy a week of Exploration as you delve into the world of Chip Carving and Design. If you have that person in your life that is hard to buy presents for this is the class for you. From beginner to more experienced chip carvers, take this class and create a unique personalized Christmas Plaque on basswood, approx. 12 x 10 inches. We will not be painting but will have supplies to finish your project. Bring your chip carving knife and any supplies you wish. Instructor will send email
This class will focus on beginner to intermediate carvers. Students will learn to sharpen their tools with various methods. There will be a session on how to layout a pattern blank and cutting it on a bandsaw. There will be a variety of beginner projects to pick from. The students will create their own progressive steps study aide. When you leave the classroom environment you will have this aid to demonstrate the steps you used to carve the Santa head. Hand tools will be required and if you have a micro motor handpiece I will demonstrate some uses for it as well if you have a wood burner, some uses for it will be shown
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Registration for the Doane Woodcarving Experience 2026 will be open February 1, 2026 - May 15, 2026. Complete the following information and we will email the registration packet to you.
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11. Relief Carving- Robert Stadtlander All Levels
All levels of carvers. Robert has many relief projects to choose from, primarily landscape scenes, human, and animals. Projects range in size up to 11” wide x 2” tall. Most are 1 or 2” thick. Some incorporate the use of roughouts. The class will cover design, layout, theory of relief and perspective, sharpening, use of knives and gouges, detailing, and finishing techniques. Participants may also work on pieces of their own design providing they clear it with the instructor at least one month in advance. Check the website for current offerings at www.stadtlandercarvings.com. New offerings are added as they become available.
10. Bark Houses - Norm Minske Advanced
Individual project subject matter is very flexible since no two pieces of Cottonwood Bark are identical. Subject size generally 10 to 15 inches high and 3 to 5 inches wide. Subjects depend on carvers’ imagination including "Rustic" structures such as cabins, houses, light houses, fantasy themed structures and Churches (and yes Outhouse(s). Physical and photo examples of carvings will be provided for reference material. Students will need to provide their own bark, but instructor will have some bark available for purchase
