They were all winners at the 2013 Eden Whale Festival competition and exhibition, Artists who Wood.

As the 2014 Eden Whale Festival draws ever closer, wood artists around the region are now preparing their entries for the popular woodworking competition.

This year, the prizes on offer are even bigger thanks to NSW Forestry Corporation.

Exhibition organiser, Jeff Donne, said visitors to the exhibition can expect to see some incredible skills on display and a strong focus on handcrafted creations.

“Last year we had a massive range of entries, from Paul Buckland’s winning leafy sea dragon carving, to Darren Mongta’s entrancing snake stick and some excellent works from local schools. We even had a two metre long whale!

“But there was one entry from last year that really wedged in my mind, and that was a deceptively simple carving of a knot whittled out of a solid lump of Norfolk Island pine using just knives and chisels.

“Frank Swinfield was the genius behind the knot and the sole reason for making the unplugged prize much bigger this year.

"We’ve added $500 to the prize, bringing the total winnings for the best entry made without power tools to $750.

“Add to this an open prize of $1000 for the best overall entry and a $250 cash prize for the best entry made by a school or TAFE student aged under 18.

“With a heavy focus on hand crafted goods this year we will also be holding a number of workshops on both weekends for people wanting to learn the traditional craft of spoon carving using just a small axe and a knife or two.

“I’ll be donning my Spoonsmith hat for these workshops and people who sign up will be introduced to the joys of casually whittling a beautiful spoon from a lump of wood borrowed from a tree.

“It’s a bit like having hot chicken soup for the soul with the right cutlery, and of course you get to take your hand carved spoon home with you.”

Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Senior Production Manager, Daniel Tuan said the corporation was proud to support the Eden Whale Festival and the Artists who Wood exhibition.

“Sustainable timber is one of the most renewable resources available and Forestry Corporation is pleased to support local artists who work with wood. The forest industry has a long history in the town of Eden and we’re proud to be supporting this year’s whale festival,” Mr Tuan said.

Exhibition organiser, Jeff, said the exact location of the pop up event and workshops will be revealed in coming weeks, but it will be in the Imlay Street area. 

“That’s the nature of a pop up, we’ll be there one minute, sharing space again with the fantastic Trashformation exhibition, and then we’ll be gone again in a flurry of wood shavings until next year.

"Our region has some outstanding makers and artists producing world-class pieces, and I can’t wait to see them proudly exhibiting their pride and joy again at this year’s Eden Whale Festival.

“So off to the shed with you, crank up your machines or dig your trusty old whittling knife from the bottom of your tool bag, and get making. Entry is FREE and it’s open right now.”

For more information on the exhibition, competition applications and the spoon carving workshops go to www.spoonsmith.com.au or contact Jeff Donne on 0417 882 074 or mejeffdonne@gmail.com