Richard Schmidt with The Beer.
If you have ever stopped by the Woodcarvers’ room in the Creative Arts Center you probably have seen strange and interesting creations that push reality a bit. Richard Schmidt created one of these creatures by carving a Black Bear with antlers from a Whitetail Deer. It is called a Beer. The piece is created entirely from wood and painted. As Richard describes it, “This creature is commonly seen by north wood hunters late in the evening after consuming too many beers.”
Richard is one of many accomplished carvers in the PebbleCreek Woodcarvers Club. He moved to PebbleCreek full time in 2012 and quickly joined the Woodcarvers Club. He had tried his hand at carving in 1998 but after one attempt he put his tools away with the intention of picking up carving in the future.
When Richard joined the Woodcarvers Club it was one of the best things that ever happened to him. In the club he found a sense of belonging, camaraderie and a willingness to help others learn. Richard started as a novice carver and now teaches others how to carve. He teaches classes on carving Kachinas, most recently the Corn Dancer as a beginning class and the Wolf Kachina, a more complicated carving. His favorite type of carving is with Cottonwood Bark. This bark is soft and easily carved but each piece is unique and lends itself to many types of whimsical carvings.
Prospective members may sign up for the beginner’s class by October 1, or January 1, each year. The one-day class, which focuses on tool safety and how to carve a simple project, will be held around the middle of October or January respectively. The cost is $25. 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 contact Tom Wick if interested in attending a beginner’s class. Tom can be reached at 262-408-7355 or via email at [email protected]. Regular carving classes are held 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.