Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcarvers Show PR

Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum Announces Birdcarvers Show & Preview Party

January 15, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Hogue

mary.hogue@mhcc.biz
203.256.9802
203.216.2536 (mobile)

Friday, May 5th 6:30-9PM

Preview Party ($75 per person; call for reservation)

A preview of the stunning hand-crafted bird carvings by this year's esteemed artists. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served and artists will be present to discuss their works. Live music, a live auction with special one-of-a-kind items, such as the very special carving, “Golden Eagle Feather” in a shadow box carved by Floyd Scholz, a safari trip to Africa, a case of rare wine, a weekend of birding on Nantucket lead by CT Audubon CT Audubon Senior Director of Science & Conservation, Milan Bull, will be part of the evening festivities.

Saturday, May 6th 10AM – 5PM Show and Sale
10AM & 3PM Bird Banding Demonstrations
Connecticut Audubon volunteers, licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have operated a Bird Banding Station here since 1979. More than 18,000 birds have been mist-netted, documented, banded and released unharmed. The station operates weekdays in spring (April 1 through Memorial Day) and fall (mid-August through Thanksgiving). Demonstrations are available to any group by appointment.

1PM Live Bird of Prey Show
Come see and learn about these remarkable large birds. Presentations feature a variety of non-releasable birds of prey who have become important wildlife ambassadors. Among the birds presented are owls, falcons and hawks.

1:30PM Floyd Scholz, premier carver, provides insights on how to do bird carvings
Presentation on the making of the life sized golden eagle carving which is his entry for the World Carver's Show this year.
PM Phil Stein, local resident and bird carver, provides a carving demo

2PM Phil Stein, local resident and bird carver, provides a carving demo

5-7PM Wine Tasting ($35; call for reservation)
So many things to see and do! Come join us at the Connecticut Audubon Birdcraft Museum to learn more about birds and bird carving with bird banding demonstrations, a show where live birds of prey (eagles, owls, etc.) are shown and explained to you, bird carving presentation and demonstration, and to end the day a Wine Tasting featuring wines from around the world. Winners of the raffle, with special one-of-a-kind prizes, such as carvings by the artists at the show, special wine selections, a round of golf for a threesome at Blind Brook golf course, will be drawn and announced.

Sunday, May 7th 10AM–4PM Show and Sale
10AM & 3PM Bird Banding Demonstrations
Connecticut Audubon volunteers, licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have operated a Bird Banding Station here since 1979. More than 18,000 birds have been mist-netted, documented, banded and released unharmed. The station operates weekdays in spring (April 1 through Memorial Day) and fall (mid-August through Thanksgiving). Demonstrations are available to any group by appointment.

1:30-3PM Children’s Activities
A variety of unique and entertaining children’s programs utilize music, puppets, masks and storytelling to impart the importance of appreciating and protecting our natural world.

2PM Phil Stein, local resident and bird carver, provides a carving demo

Carver Biographies:

RICHARD PALMER—Middleboro, MA
Noted for his ornithological accuracy and uncanny ability to capture the life-like spirit and pose of bird, his artistry is also distinguished by his deep personal appreciation of nature. Carving professionally for almost thirty-five years, Richard has gained considerable critical acclaim. His many prestigious honors and top prizes include some that are highly regarded and important. His work is represented in museums throughout the United States and collectors seek his signature. An unexcelled carved, every graceful detail is rendered with special intimacy and understanding of nature’s gift. Mr. Palmer has won first place and Best of Show awards at: Ward Foundation—World Championship, U.S. National Decoy Show, New England Wildlife Art Expo and Wildlife Artisans Association: 1973 to present.

WILLIAM RICE— Warren, CT
An artist whose work reflects his deep love of the American landscaped and it’s wildlife. Bill Rice is highly regarded for his finely crafted bird sculptures, and has been working as a professional sculptor for nearly twenty years during which time he has received many Best in Show awards. He has exhibited his work at the Eastern Waterfowl Festival in Easton, MD and Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art‘s Museum Birds in Art Show. His work is also featured in art galleries in New York, South Carolina, Arizona and Connecticut.

STEVEN A. WEAVER— Forestdale, MA
In 1985, Steve entered his first National competition in New York, and by 1986 had elevated his carvings to the professional level at National shows. His works have been exhibited in the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, the Sandwich Glass Museum, as well as the CT Audubon Society in Fairfield. In 1997 Steve was chosen by the Governor of Massachusetts to carve the State bird. This carving was then displayed at the Ward Foundations Museum for the Summer of 1997 as part of a fifty state bird exhibit. Steve takes pride in his ability to create high quality bird carvings using the traditional tools of carvers of the past; knives, gouges, sandpaper and paint.

FLOYD SCHOLZ—Hancock VT
A native of Fairfield and a product of our local school system, Floyd started carving in the 70’s, having been inspired by his uncle, George Csefai. He began carving professionally in 1983 and quickly earned a reputation as one to the world’s best raptor carvers. His incredibly realistic pieces have taken top awards at major carving shows throughout the United States and his work has been included in the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museums “Birds in Art” exhibition. Author of “Birds of Prey” and other books on bird carving, he conducts classes in his studio: Vermont Raptor Academy” in Hancock,VT.

BRUCE STRICKLAND—Middlefield CT
Bruce has been capturing the essence of birds in his life-size wildfowl sculptures since 1991. He has received numerous awards in competitive shows including the Ward World Championship, New England Wildlife Expo, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History 21st Bird Carvers Festival “People’s Choice Award”. His sculptures have been exhibited in Levi Coe Library, Wesleyan University Science Center, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and other private exhibits. Bruce is driven by his passion for nature, its beauty and perfection coupled with a desire to be creative in a way that can heighten our awareness of the miracles around us.

PETER BOWE - Stratford, CT
Peter Is a wildlife Sculptor who specializes in Birds and Marine Mammals. His media are wood, bronze, and stone. He is an elected artist member of the American Society of Maritime Artists. His work has been exhibited at the Mystic Maritime Gallery and Greenwich Workshop. He also exhibits at the Russell Jinishiah Gallery and won Best in Sculptures at the SONO Art Festival in Norwalk, CT..

ROSCOE CONDON - Fitchburg, MA
Roscoe A. Condon of Fitchburg, MA., who from boyhood always loved nature and God’s creation, would prefer being in a pup tent at the foot of a mountain or in a blind on some remote salt marsh that in the best hotel in the world. The very first carving contest Roscoe entered as a novice, he won Best in Show. Since then he has won several Best in Shows including a Certificate of Excellence from the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1983.

DAVE FARRINGTON - Fairfield, CT
Dave started carving in 1978. His first bird, a Hen Bufflehead, won him his first ribbon, 2nd place at the U.S. National Show in Long Island, NY in 1979. His second bird, a Goldeneye, won a 1st place at the World Show in Ocean City, MD., the same year. Since then, hew had won numerous ribbons from shows in Louisiana, Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland and the Mid West. In the last 2 years, Dave has started carving fish for some of his friends. His first STRIPED BASS, on display, won a Blue Ribbon at the World Show in Ocean City MD. The Birdcraft Museum features Bird Carving classes each Fall and Spring, directed by Dave. See the Museum for more information.

STEVE DUDLEY– Guilford, CT
Steve Dudley is a along-time resident of Guilford and the Connecticut shore. In the Spring of 1993, after 28 successful years in sales and marketing, Steve chose to pursue his wildfowl carving full time.
Steve’s specialty is shorebird carvings which run the gamut from the traditional gunning decoy style to the more finely detailed feathered birds. Gulls, Terns, herons and birds of prey will also be found among his carvings. He does commission pieces on a limited scale.

RANDY AND ELAINE FISHER - Dennis MA
Randy and Elaine Fisher have been carving songbirds for many years. They have participated in numerous juried shows including the Connecticut Audubon Show in the 1980’s.

ERWIN FLEWELLING—Northport, ME
He has participated in competitions along the East Coast of the U.S. such as the New England Woodcarving and Wildlife Art Expo in Connecticut, where he has taken three best of show awards, the Ward World Competition in Ocean City, MD and many local competitions all over New England. He has many Best of Show awards including some from the Atlantic Wildlife Carving Competition in Nova Scotia, Canada. He has also taken judges Best of Show in the carving competition at the Sportsman’s Show Orono and judges Best of Show at the Maine State Sportsman’s Show in Augusta , six times in the last ten years. He enjoys all types of bird carving from the demure Golden Crowned Kinglet to the majestic Bald Eagle.

JOHN MELLO — Warren, RI
John began carving in 1975 using Basswood and oil paints. In 1980 he began carving professionally and slowly switched to carving using Tupelo Gum, a wood grown in the wet areas of the South, and painting them with acrylic.
Having practiced taxidermy for 40 years has provided him with a reference to accurately carve and paint game birds. He has exhibited in many major shows in the United States and has won many awards in Local, National and World competitions. His birds are in many museums and private collections both in the U.S. and Europe.

JUNE NOLL— Brewster, MA
June lives in Brewster in the heart of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Surrounded by an abundance of sea life, and animal life, June creates like-like sculptures of a wide variety of animals and birds.
June is basically a self-taught wildlife carver-artist, drawing on a background of studio arts and art history in college. After experimenting with various techniques, she has developed a certain style, which she shares freely with her students in carving classes. Many of her students have also won National awards themselves. June has exhibited her work all over New England and has received many National awards for her carvings.

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