Smoky Mountain Wood Carvers Association

09/18/2026

We are about 2 weeks out on the first training. It's not too late to join in the fun. We do have openings in all the classes, but they are getting fuller. Here are the opportunities

Sept 30, October 1,2 Starts at 9am

Phil Gentry caricatures, roughouts from Phil and Gary Falin. Cost is $150 plus roughout cost.


Vic Hood. Class is full at present time. and there is a waiting list. Send note to Tom Kubota to get on waiting list. [email protected]

Doug Stainbrook, pyrography. $150 for 3 days. which includes a small project. However, if you want less days, he will try to accommodate your schedule, but project cost is not included; class is almost full

October 1,2

John Griscti Chip Carving. cost is $100 for two days or $50 for one day plus project. First day is basic instruction but experienced chip carvers can come but understand he is going to make sure the new folks get off to a good start.

After the show

Oct 5/6

Rich Wetherbee is clay sculpting. You will sculpt a good go-by for a future carving. You can carve a roughout or bark in this class as well. $85/day

October 7/8

Rich Wetherbee roughout, bark, realistic or caricature. Cost is $85/day plus project cost



I will send a few pics in another email for the instructors works. If you have questions please text me or email.



The show is starting to shape up. Here are the highlights, hope you can make it. I will be sending out more info soon.

* Stadtlander Woodcarvings will be there. Eight tables of supplies!

*Gary Falin will have a table selling finished carvings and roughouts!

*Rental tables for sales $35 or $25 for members

*Demonstrations free

*Silent auction with CCA carvings, raffles and free raffles for general public

* Carving help for general public

* Tool Sharpening

*Carving competition including section for instructor assisted work

*Chainsaw Vendor......we hope!



Hope you can come, any questions let me know.


JR

309-620 -1197

We have a page Smoky Mountain Wood Carvers Association

Our web page is https://smkywca.club

The web page has been re-done, check it out.

2026 Registration Form:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HuiUwZPfbHFGRL4dxxwaJi1BWyRGV_Yk/view?usp=sharing

Show Brochure:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NxD_Fh1em4Vew0S1KGZw4BeqJm9NArMU/view?usp=sharing

09/18/2026

Rich is training after show for four days, October 5-8

The first two days are focused on clay sculpting. I have attached some examples of previous student's work. Good thing is you can come up with your idea and Rich will help you make it happen.

Rich is known for great bark carvings. Again, I have attached an example of one of the projects helped a student. with. I have done several with him...and plan to do another this year!

And guess what, if you know Rich, you know these bears. He has another group of bears waiting to be carved. These little guys make folks smile, especially your wife!

So cost is $85/day plus project cost, and he is very flexible on time

Any questions, let me know.
JR
309-620-1197

08/15/2026

Just 46 days till the first day of training. I want to encourage you sign up for the classes, and you can send in your class fees. Make the checks payable the instructor and mail to me (except Vic Hood class, Doc Kubota is handling). My address is 3446 Wayne Rankin Road, Louisville TN, 37777
I am not going to attach pics again unless new ones from instructors, but here are the classes. If you want to see instructor pics, send me email or text

Sept. 30, October 1,2
Phil Gentry, caricature roughouts, $150 plus roughout cost. He has sent another pic.(attached)
John Griscti, chip carving. $50/day. First day will focus on beginners but everyone is welcome. Project cost is not included in the course.
Ed Lampert class has been cancelled due to his knee replacement surgery has been delayed so his rehab won't be soon enough to hold the class
Doug Stainbrook, wood burning, $150 which includes a simple project. I believe more complicated projects are available for additional cost.
Vic Hood realistic busts, mallet and chisel. $250. Contact Doc Kubota 865-567-3539
After the show, Sept 5-8
Rich Wetherbee Clay Sculpting. Oct 5,6. $85/day plus clay. You can carve bark or roughout those days as well.
Rich Wetherbee Bark carving or roughouts, realistic or caricature $85 per day plus project cost. Rich is very flexible on the days, you can pick any days.

Table Rental for Show is $35 for non-members and $25 for members. We are starting to get full so don't wait too much longer!

Bob Stadtlander will be at the show with 8 tables of supplies. You can save shipping costs by contacting him directly and asking him to bring your order to the show. Stadlandercarvings.com

I am not going to repeat everything here. so, if you need info on lodging, look at previous emails or send me an email and I can forward info.

I hope to see you at the show or classes.

JR
309-620-1197

07/30/2026

Only 63 days till the first training sessions. Please get your reservations in as soon as possible. The show dates are Saturday Oct 3 10am-5pm Sunday Oct 4 10am-4pm. (Check in carvings Friday October 2, 1-5pm and Saturday 730-9am) You can set up rental tables at same time as check in.



Sept. 30, Oct 1,2

Phil Gentry Caricature roughouts including some of Gary Falin's collection. See an attached picture of choices. $150 plus roughout 3 days.



John Griscti Chip carving. First day will focus on beginners but everyone can sign up and get their projects rolling. The sunflower project must be pre-ordered. So let me know asap. The picture is attached; he does have other projects. Cost is $50 per day plus project cost, Classes are October 1,2.



Doug Stainbrook Pyrography (wood burning) Doug is the artist that has displayed the last couple years at the show. $150, 3 days



Ed Lampert Santa Egg carving plus painting. Ed will focus on carving on the first day and you can paint the 2nd day or carve. Cost is $60 for one day, or $110 for both days, one project included, Oct 1,2



Vic Hood, realistic busts, mallet/chisel. Contact Tom Kubota for course details and cost. [email protected]



After the show

Rich Wetherbee clay sculpting $85/day Oct 5,6 (you can carve on this day)

Rich Wetherbee caricature, realistic, carved with roughouts or cottonwood bark, $85 per day plus project., Oct 7,8



Lodging

Here are a few choices for lodging. The best alternative is using the booking apps like Trivago and Booking.com. However, you can try direct. October begins the craft activities for area including Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. This can be good since there is plenty to do besides our show but it does put motel rooms on a premium.

Here are some places,

Seymour Tennessee 10 miles away on same road as show)

Wattle Motel (on Booking.com) $105 per night

Comfort Inn (on Booking.com) $138



In addition, there is several campgrounds that have cabins for rent. Here are a couple. You might want to check the VRBO,Trivago and Booking.com sites.

Here are a couple opportunities a reasonable distance from the Senior Center

Riverside RV Park and Resort http://www.riversidecamp.com



Ripplin Waters RV Park http://www.ripplinwatersrvpark.com



Table Rentals $25 for members, $35 for non-members



Show highlights

*Carving competition with three divisions plus an instructor assisted division

*Demonstrations by carvers during the show

*Raffles thru out the show

*Silent auction including carvings by CCA members

*Vendor tables including Bob Stadtlader Carving Supplies

*Saturday night dinner with free raffle!

*chainsaw carver demonstrating and selling his work



Any questions, rental tables, competition information or reservations/questoins for training, contact me at 309-620-1197 (text or phone) or email [email protected]



JR

06/26/2026

Rich Wetherbee is coming Smoky Mountain Woodcarving Show in Sevierville on Oct. 3 and 4. Rich will be teaching clay sculpting and wood carving on basswood and cottonwood bark on Oct 5-8. You can take 1-4 days training, $75/day..

These are bark carvings that I did in his classes over the past few years I learned alot and had a great time.



If interested, contact me

JR 309-620-1197

06/08/2026

118 days till the greatest wood carving show in East Tennessee!



115 days till the training starts!

John Griscti Chip Carving Oct 1-2 $50/day, first day beginners and second day experienced. Projects are not included in the class price. Experienced chip carvers can take the first day class as well but most of the focus will be on beginning techniques.



Ed Lampert Santa egg Oct 1-2 $60/ day or $110 for 2 days. You carve the first day and second day if you want or you can paint on day 2.



Phil Gentry Caricature Roughouts created by Phil or Gary Falin, Sept. 30, Oct. 1,2. Cost is $150 for three days. We can develop a price for less days.



Doug Stainbrook. Pyrography. Sept 30, Oct 1,2. Cost is $150 plus project. Bring your woodburner, Doug does have three loaners.



Vic Hood, realistic bust using mallet/chisel. Sept 30, Oct 1,2 Cost $250 plus project.



After the show

Rich Wetherbee Clay Class, Oct 5,6 $85/day. You can do a carving in this class but priority goes to Clay. Current there is openings for both.

Rich Wetherbee Caricature/Realistic roughouts, bark October 7,8 cost $85/day.



Text or email me on your reservations, no money now except deposit on Vic Hood's class. JR 309-620-1197 [email protected]. Instructors appreciate early reservations since it helps them prepare for the class.



I have attached the brochure again with a better copy of the show entry llist.



More news on the show coming out soon. Hope you can make it!



JR

309-620-1197

2026 Registration form:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HuiUwZPfbHFGRL4dxxwaJi1BWyRGV_Yk/view?usp=sharing

Brochure:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NxD_Fh1em4Vew0S1KGZw4BeqJm9NArMU/view?usp=sharing

05/29/2026

Hello!

Trying to catch up on information I promised to send.



First, let's confirm the dates. Show is Sat/Sun October 3,4



The brochure is attached for all the check-in times, categories, table rentals raffles.

Training is before and after the show. Previous emails had information on all the instructors but Phil Gentry and Vic Hood. Phil's projects and information on Vic Hood's class will be attached on a second email.

I don't want to hurry you, but I had 4 people sign up for classes today. So don't delay too long!

Before the Show

Phil Gentry caricature Roughout Sept. 30, Oct 1 and 2
Phil's projects are roughouts that he created or Gary Falin created. The pictures attached show what is available...but there may be a few more Phil Gentry roughouts! You could be the first to do one! Don't think there is only 6 projects.. actually 13 since some attachments have multiple projects. Pictures are attached

Doug Stainbrook pyrography Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and 2

Vic Hood Realistic bust Sept 30, Oct 1 and 2
Vic Hood is doing mallet and chisel realistic busts. You can google him to get the examples of his work. Tom Kubota is organizing this class. He has provided details below and if you have any questions on the class, it's best to go directly to Tom for the information or to register for this class.

From Tom Kubota:

Please send a deposit of 50 dollars to hold a space. It would be helpful to send me an email or text at the same time,so I know to look for it, and can acknowledge receipt.

Sorry for the omission.

TKubota



Vic Hood will be holding a 3 day class on carving busts on Wednesday to Friday, 9/30/26 – 10/2/26 at the My People Senior Center in Sevierville Tn. 1220 W. Main Street, Sevierville, TN, United States, Tennessee. The class will run from 9-4 and precedes the Smoky Mountain Woodcarving Show, which will be Saturday and Sunday. The cost for the three days will be 250.00. The cost of the butternut blank, will be an additional 70-80 dollars

A place can be reserved by sending a check addressed to Thomas Kubota. I will be paying Vic in cash at the time of the class. The check won’t be deposited until 4 weeks before the class. The balance of tuition will be requested at least two weeks before the class starts. Please bring cash for the butternut blank. The class will be limited to the first 10 people who sign up. In two weeks, registration will be announced to the participants of the Smoky Mountain woodcarving Show.

For those of you who are from out of town, there are multiple hotels and places to eat in the area.

Look forward to seeing you there. Sorry for the delay in the announcement.

Thomas T. Kubota

4639 Scenic Point Dr

Louisville, Tn 37777

865-567-3539

John Griscti Chip Carving Oct1 and 2

Ed Lampert Santa Caricature/painting Oct. 1 and 2

After the show

Rich Wetherbee Clay October 5,6

Roughouts, Bark 7,8



Show Highlights

Competition. We have one of the only shows that provides cash awards for each category besides receiving a ribbon. In addition, we have the best caricature ward and 1st and 2nd Best of Show awards. There is a separate category for instructor assisted carvings for intermediate and novice carvers. We want to recognize the great work instructors do to promote our hobby.



Raffles/silent auctions. Bragging a bit, but its a monster amount of prizes in the raffle. Carving tools, gift certificates, books, roughouts, supplies and a bunch of stuff you can't live without. Then the silent auction has finished carvngs from carvers like Gary Falin, the late Clair Smith and other great prizes...its very special.



Demonstrations will be held on Saturday and Sunday by known carvers.



Chainsaw carver will be demonstrating both days with available carvings for sale.



Saturday evening, there is a dinner with a free raffle for attendees.



Bob Stadtlander will be there with 8 tables of supplies and plenty of knives and tools. In addition, Gary Falin will have his carvings and roughouts for sale in addiition to Rich Wetherbee, Phil Gentry and a host of other craftsman.



Table Rentals $35 for non-members, 25 for members



Lodging

Last email had the list of motels. In addition, there is several campgrounds that have cabins for rent. Here are a couple. You might want to check the VRBO,Trivago and Booking.com sites.

Here are a couple opportunities a reasonable distance from the Senior Center

Riverside RV Park and Resort http://www.riversidecamp.com



Ripplin Waters RV Park http://www.ripplinwatersrvpark.com



Attached in the information on the show. You don't have to send in your competition form ahead of time...bring it to check in. You must reserve a table ahead of time. Normally, we don't have extras.

About the attachments. There is two pages for the brochure. The registration form might have an unwanted PDF stamp...ignore it...I will correct it after I discuss with Dean, the tech giant. You can use that form for your carvng registration but hopefully another one will be available soon. Fill it out and you will be assigned a carver number at registration so you can fill out the last column. All carvings must be completed by the carver except in the instructor assisted class.

Woodcarver Festival Brochure:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WMg0gJ6Ga3ItSGhimpI6P9DqHQ2Q4noJ/view?usp=sharing

2026 Registration Form:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OQn9EWVrhxZ-5BymQB8OLBIVwd6d_J79/view?usp=sharing

Any questions, call text or email me.

JR Hemmerlein

309-620-1197

05/26/2026

Brochures will be available soon. Rental tables are $35 for non-members and $25 for members. Please sign up for seminars so we can get the instructors schedules firmed up. Costs are for seminars, most of the projects are extra.

September 30 Oct. 1-2

Phil Gentry caricature $150 (Does have some Falin Roughouts besides his)

Doug Stainbrook pyrography $150

Vic Hood Bust (chisel/mallet) $250

October 1/2

John Griscti Chip carving $50 per day. Beginners on first day and Experienced. both days

Ed Lampert Santa Egg, $60/day, $110 2 days. includes project . Painting available seconday

October 5,6

Rich Wetherbee clay(priority) will take some carvers

October 7/8 roughouts/bark



Lodging Update

Here are a few choices for lodging. The best alternative is using the booking apps like Trivago and Booking.com. However, you can try direct. October begins the craft activities for area including Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. This can be good since there is plenty to do besides our show but it does put motel rooms on a premium.

Here are some places,

Seymour Tennessee 10 miles away on same road as show)

Wattle Motel (on Booking.com) $105 per night

Comfort Inn (on Booking.com) $138



In attachment, are some names that are closer to the action....not necessarily quicker since traffic is stronger in the area.

In addition, there are some cabins and I am working on getting the details. They will house multiple people.



So next note will have a footnote about the cabins plus Phil Gentry's pictures of his work.



Any questions, let me know



JR

309-620-1197

05/19/2026

If you are looking for a fancy door or interior decorations check out the FB of Carvers of the Smokies. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Send a message to learn more

05/04/2026

Our Show is Saturday/Sunday, October 3 and 4 at My People Senior Center in Sevierville, TN. The Seminars will be before and after the show and listed below. Right now, working on interest/reservations, no $$ necessary now. If you have questions or would like to make a reservation, email me or text/call at 309-620-1197. Unfortunatley, Gary Falin will not be having classes. He is improving but not at the point to handle three days of classes. He will be at the show with a table. He is carving and has plenty of carvings/roughouts for sale. Classes are 9 am-4pm.


September 30, October 1,2

Phil Gentry will have a 3-day caricature class with his roughouts and some of Gary Falin's roughouts. Phil has won several competitions and his work is impressive and his painting puts them in the awesome stage. Examples of his work will be available on a later note.

Cost is $150 plus the roughout cost.


Ed Lampert will have a 2-day caricature Santa egg class October 1, 2. Ed is on of the best Santa carvers in East Tennessee. Ed sells his carvings in Gatlinburg craft community. The class will include carving and painting if you want to finish your carving. The goal is to have a completed project at the end of class. However, you can carve on both days. Examples of his project are show below.

Cost is $60 for one day or $110 for two days and includes the first project.


Doug Stainbrook will have a 3-day pyrography (wood burning) class. If you attended our show in the past, Doug had a table with some fantastic work displayed. He also displays in the craft area at Dollywood. Doug's background is drawing, oil painting, artistic engraving and woodworking. He took a class from Michele Parson years ago and was hooked on pyrography. One of his projects was featured in the Pyrography magazine in 2020. You can check out examples of his work on his website, SlyFoxArt.com. If you have questions on his class, email [email protected]. Cost is $150 and will include a board and patterns available for your project. He will have a tracing paper and pens to transfer your pattern to the board. Plan to bring your woodburning unit so you learn with it. He does have 3 loaner woodburning units; if you need to borrow a unit, let me know in advance.


John Griscti will have two 1-day classes. You can attend either or both.

Beginner Class Thursday, Oct. 1 class is primarily for beginners where he will teach the basics on tools, safety and basic/intermediate techniques. Experienced chip carvers are welcome, and he will assist you on your project on day 1.. Most of the focus will be on techniques for the beginner. Cost is $50 plus $15 for basic project, advanced project pricing listed below. John will have loaner chip knives so you can take class and see if that is your passion. Chip carving techniques can add to your other projects.


Experienced class Friday, Oct.2. You must have taken the basic class or have experience in chip carving to select this class. Projects are the sunflower $35, Trivets $10-15, ornament blanks $5 and free tree form blanks are $10. Pictures are below He address painting techniques if interested. If you would like to do the Sunflower project, we need know before June 30 to prepare it for class.


Vic Hood will have a 3-day class on realistic busts. This class is using mallet/chisels and limited to 8-10 people. I don't have all the details yet but will share later. If interested, let me know since sign up for this new class is underway. Vic is very popular so don't linger with your reservation.


October 5,6 (Monday/Tuesday after the show)

Rich Wetherbee will have a two-day clay carving class. This class is ideal for developing ideas for future carvings. The project can be a go-by or even stand as an art piece itself since it can by painted. Carving students can do these days as well but priority reservation to clay participants. Last year, he had room for carving students. Cost is $85/day plus clay costs.


October 7/8 (Wednesday/Thursday after the show)

Rich Wetherbee will have a 2-day realistic/caricature or bark carving class. The class will start from roughouts (wetherbeecollectionllc.com) or bark with your original idea. Cost is $85/day plus the cost of roughout/bark. The website might not have his most recent projects; I will include them later. Last year, the Wetherbee classes filled up, please don't delay on getting your reservation.



You can call or email for a reservation, course fees will be collected in August. It's important to get these reservations in so we can insure we have a viable class, and instructor can get us in his schedule and plan for a great class. If you have trouble getting information from websites, let me know.


Lodging info will be coming soon. Only 151 days till the first class!


If you want off this distribution list, please contact me with "Reply". Same for questions and reservations, please avoid reply all for individual communications.


JR

309-620-1197