BRADFORD — The Bradford Public Library offered a woodcarving class recently.
Butch Clark a wildfowl wood sculptor, of Bradford, has been carving about 20 years. He has crafted 125 sculptures – mostly birds and ducks. Each piece takes about 60 hours.
“I always piddled around with art and one time at the Darke County fair, I saw a wood carving by my friend that inspired me to try to carve one,” he said.
Clark cuts out the shapes of wooden Christmas ornaments, which in this case are Santa and a snowman. The students provide the reliefs, or cuts, using three tools: a knife, gauge and v-cut. And finally, the students paint the ornaments with acrylic paints.
For Bruce Smith, of Bradford, this is his second time taking the class. He also took the class in June. His goal it to complete three holiday ornaments for his granddaughters.
“I was a maintenance worker for 22 years and now I’m just tired,” he said. “This class helps keep me active.”
According to Librarian Kay Poeppelman, Library Director Sherie Roeth scheduled the classes. Clark’s class in June was a big hit and a lot of people returned for this one. Poeppelman tried attending the class in June, but it was too full with 13 in attendance.
“He is a patient and good instructor,” Poeppelman said of Clark. “He likes to get people interested in wood carving. That is why he does it and we appreciate that.”
To find out more information about classes, visit bradfordpubliclibrary.org.
