Be carefree.

The wood carving club at Big Tree RV Resort in Arcadia, Florida was formed approximately 40 years ago by 4 carvers and grew to 20 members in 2011.  The club now meets every Thursday in the Firehouse at Big Tree RV Resort with senior carvers providing instruction to the newer members.

Several members from the Big Tree Woodcarvers start the Peace River Carvers, a carving club that meet every Tuesday at the Speers Center in Arcadia.  Average attendance varies from 100 to 130 per week and there is no charge to become a member.  Our instructors will gladly teach a beginner. It is exciting to see so many types of carving — chip, round (birds, characters, Christmas ornaments) relief, bark and woodburning.  We have 4 members between the ages of eight and sixteen who started wood burning, and we’re pleased to see that our club is attracting the younger generation.

Every year on the third Saturday of February a team from Peace River Carvers organizes one of the best woodcarving shows in Southwestern Florida at the Turner Agricultural Center in Arcadia, Florida (2250 Northeast Roan Street Arcadia, FL 34266).  It is a one-day event from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and admission is free.  Last year, approximately 3,000 visitors  viewed and admired the talents of carvers from Florida, other States and Canada.  We covered 20,000 sq.ft. of floor space and 127 tables were set up to display carvers’ artworks and vendors’ supplies.  We are privileged to have renowned guest artists who attend our show and some of them give demonstrations throughout the day.

For more information about becoming a member of either the Big Tree Woodcarvers or the Peace River Carvers please email bigtreerv@embarqmail.com.