2026 Metro Carvers Show – A Weekend of Craftsmanship, Camaraderie, and Creativity
The 2026 Metro Carvers of Michigan Show is officially in the books—and what a weekend it was.
Held over two days at the Historic Packard Proving Grounds, this year’s show brought together carvers, collectors, and visitors from across the region. With over 7,000 square feet filled with handcrafted carvings, tools, demonstrations, and supplies, the event once again highlighted the depth of talent and passion within the wood carving community.
A Show Built on Community and Craft
One of the things that continues to make this show special is the balance between artistry and accessibility. Whether you’re a seasoned carver or someone just discovering the craft, there’s always something to learn and experience.
Throughout the weekend, attendees had the opportunity to:
• Watch live carving demonstrations
• Explore a wide variety of roughouts, tools, and carving supplies
• Take advantage of professional sharpening services
• Connect with fellow carvers and share techniques, ideas, and inspiration
Events like this aren’t just about the finished pieces—they’re about the shared knowledge, the stories behind the carvings, and the friendships that continue to grow year after year.
Recognizing Excellence in Carving
This year’s show featured over 50 judged categories, showcasing an incredible range of styles—from traditional to caricature, bark carving to wildlife.
A particularly meaningful moment was the presentation of the Caricature Carvers of America (CCA) Merit Award by Floyd Rhadigan to Dave Stein for his carving, Happy Friar. This award recognizes growth, dedication, and artistic development—values that reflect the heart of carving.
We were also honored to introduce the Pat Murphy Carver Award, created to recognize the spirit of mentorship and dedication within our carving community. With Pat Murphy’s family in attendance, it was a moment that reminded all of us how much this craft is built on those who share their knowledge and passion with others.
A Personal Note from the Bench
As both a participant and President of the Metro Carvers of Michigan, I always look forward to this show—not only for the opportunity to help bring it together, but also to take part as a carver.
This year, I was fortunate to exhibit several of my latest carvings and connect with visitors and fellow artists throughout the weekend. I’m also grateful to have received recognition in the competition, with three award-winning pieces:
• 1st Place (Blue Ribbon) – Christmas Category - “Frontier Claus”
• 2nd Place (Red Ribbon) – Animal Caricature - “Holiday Hangover Bear”
• 2nd Place (Red Ribbon) – Human Caricature - “Sheriff Deadeye”
It’s always rewarding to see how individual pieces resonate with both judges and visitors—and even more rewarding to be part of a show filled with such a high level of craftsmanship.
Looking Ahead
Shows like this don’t happen without the support of many dedicated people. From vendors and demonstrators to volunteers and attendees, each person plays a role in making the event a success.
A sincere thank you goes out to everyone involved—including our supporters and raffle sponsors such as Woodcraft, OCCT, Razortip, and TreelineUSA.
The Metro Carvers Show continues to grow each year, not just in size, but in the strength of its community. If you’ve never attended, it’s an experience worth adding to your calendar—and if you have, we look forward to seeing you again next year.
Experience the Craft
If you enjoy handcrafted art, caricature carvings, or one-of-a-kind wood creations, I invite you to explore more of my work.
Each piece from Michigan Woodworks is thoughtfully designed and hand-carved to reflect character, craftsmanship, and a story worth sharing—whether for display, collecting, or gifting.
Michigan Woodworks… where craftsmanship meets character.
