David with several of his carvings on the middle shelf of the display window in the Creative Arts Center
David Linth is the PebbleCreek Woodcarvers Club woodcarver of the month for February 2020. David and his wife, Karen, moved to PebbleCreek in December 2014. At that time, Robert Johnson was teaching a class on how to carve northwest Indian-themed objects. David and Robert quickly became friends and David joined the carving club. David is one of several club carvers that carry on Robert’s love of this type of carving.
David’s career was with the United States Coast Guard. He primarily worked along the Pacific Coast along Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska with the fishery industry. This allowed him to interact and become friends with the northwest Indian and Eskimo peoples. He developed a love and appreciation of their art forms that goes beyond just looking at the art. These objects and the materials used in their creation have a spiritual meaning to these people that outsiders often fail to understand and appreciate.
David prefers to carve northwest Indian art objects and attempts to use materials that would have been used by native tribes such as western red cedar, yellow Alaskan cedar, cedar bark, leather, shells, and stone. He keeps to traditional paint colors. He prefers to carve with knives, chisels, rasps, etc.
David believes the carving club is the best thing that happened to his retirement. The club has provided social and technical opportunities that are far beyond his expectations. It is exciting to work with others who are not afraid to challenge themselves and see what they can create.
The carver of the month award is unique within the carving club, because the award recipient is decided by the last two individuals to receive the award. Started in October 2019, it is a way for carvers to recognize other carvers that have been influential in developing a love for carving in others.
Prospective club members may sign up for the Beginner’s Class by Oct. 1 or Jan. 1 each year. Interested individuals must sign up for the class in the Quail Room of the Creative Arts Center, and pay in advance. The cost is $25. The class size is limited to eight individuals and is held around the 15th of October or January respectively. The one-day class focuses on tool safety and how to carve a simple project. Class attendees will then have the option to join the club, if there is continued interest. However, club membership is open only to PebbleCreek residents. Please stop in the Quail Room or contact Tom Wick, if interested in attending a Beginner’s Class. Tom can be reached at 262-408-7355 or [email protected].
Regular carving classes are held from October through April. Club meetings are held on the second Tuesday each month from October through April. The carving room is available for club members daily throughout the year, except for Thursday mornings when another club uses the room.