THE IDAHO WOODCARVERS GUILD, INC. is a non-profit organization and exists under the laws of the State of Idaho. The definition and inclusions of woodcarving is accepted as identified by the National Wood Carvers Association, which includes:

     Woodcarving
     Woodburning
     Woodturning
     Wood Marquetry

The mission of the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild is to encourage and promote the art of woodcarving. Our objectives are to:

     Conduct a monthly meeting;

     Help all carvers increase their skill levels through association with expert carvers in various specific carving medias;

     Foster an appreciation of superior craftsmanship among the Guild members and the general public; and

     Meet with other woodcarving organizations to exchange information, take part in events, and encourage ideals that would promote the general interest in the art of woodcarving.



HISTORY
In the spring of 1980, Maxie Mayhew, Tony Smart and several other individuals interested in woodcarving met to discuss the start of a carving club. The Idaho Woodcarvers Guild, Inc. was born. Don Brigham was chosen to be the first chartered President. He served in this office for the next four years.

To attact individuals interested in woodcarving, the first meeting was promoted with newspaper ads and advertisement by Maxie at a carving booth during Christmas shows. Meetings were held at the Lowell Scott Junior High School where Don taught shop, including woodcarving.

Membership was small at first but today there are approximately 80 members with meeting attendance in the 40's. Meetings are now conducted at the Meridian Senior Center from September to May.

During the first years of the Guild, a carving show was held at the Kartcher Mall in Nampa. This was a display only show in the mall corridor. The purpose was to attact other woodcarvers and build interest in woodcarving within the community. For several years, during the first weekend of each March, a juried show has been held at the prestigious Center on The Grove in Boise. For 1999, the 12th carving show had 420 entires for the competition as well as carvers demonstrating, displaying, and selling their art along with vendors who sold wood, tools and books.

In 1997, the Guild took part in the local "Festival of Trees" for the first time. The Guild received a 2nd place award and the sale of their tree helped their funding goal, which was to help local children in need. In 1998, the Guild joined clubs of woodworking and woodturning to create an auction to raise funds for the children of the "Wishing Star Foundation". The club continues to support charitable and educational programs through auctions and voluntary instruction in schools.

The IWG has an elite group in its membership called the "Hall of Fame". The Hall of Fame membership elects members from the Guild who display exemplary dedication to the growth and well-being of the Guild and woodcarving as an art form. Selections are not necessarily made each year. Current members of the Hall of fame are:

  Vic Otto, Show Chair for the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild, Inc. for many years.
     Vic has received the Caricature Carvers of America award at the Woodcarving
     Congress in Iowa.

  Ted Smith, a world class water fowl carver with several Blue Ribbons from the Ward
     Foundation in Maryland for 1995 and 1999.

  Don Brigham, first guild President and a retired school teacher who has given many
     carving students their start.

  Cleve Taylor, one of 25 members of the Caricature Carvers of America.

  Gary Smith, a widely known woodturner who has given much of himself to the IWG.

  Walt Mifflin, a prominent wildfowl carver and long-time contributor to the art of woodcarving.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST CARICATURE CARVERS SOCIETY
In 1995, through the efforts of several members of the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild, a new organizaiton was created for caricature woodcarvers. Today there are approximately 70 carvers throughout the Northwest who are members of PNCCS.