WHITTLING
sticks or canes” for sale, said Mosqueda.
Another vendor offers a product that bridges an old-school craft with modern technology. It’s a carved smartphone holder that is more than a holder — it serves as a speaker that amplifies music.
For people who simply want to admire fine craftsmanship, there will be plenty of that to take in at the expo.
The Woodcarving Expo takes place at the Yuma Readiness & Community Center, 24th Street and Araby Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The event, sponsored by parks and recreation department in association with the North End Woodcarvers, began more than a decade ago. Attendance at last year’s expo, said Mosqueda, jumped 10 percent from the prior year, with about 1,400 attending over the two days of the show.
“It’s a good mixture” of people who attend, said Mosqueda. “You have people who really appreciate, to be honest, the tradition of wood carving.”
Many people, she says, who turn out are retirees, either winter visitors or year-around residents – people in whom whittling might have been instilled as kids, back when the craft was more widely practiced. But a younger crowd also comes to the expo.
“We have home-school groups,” she said, “but we have a lot of grandfathers who take their grandchildren.”
Admission to the expo is $2 per day per person, with kids 12 and younger getting in for free.
Walking into the center, people who want to shop can proceed to the main gym, where vendors will offer finished pieces, carving tools and patterns, and prime carving wood of the kind not found in the Yuma area.
“It’s a great a opportunity to get specialty woods,” Mosqueda said.
In another section of the center, expert carvers will offer demonstrations every hour, covering carving techniques, tool maintenance and even such topics as wood burning and carving in alternative media such as bark and gourds.
The expo also allows carvers to exhibit pieces they’re proud of. The public will have a chance to vote for their favorite carvings. And what do the winners get?
“Accolades, accolades, accolades,” said Mosqueda.
There’s no fee to exhibit a carving, but those who wish to do so are asked to call Mosqueda in advance at 928-373-5200.
She said there are also a few tables open for vendors who wish to sell carvings or related products. To reserve a table, they should call her at the same number.
“It’s a cool event,” she said, “and you’re not having to travel far for it.”
(March 20-April 19) The more you eye the long term and see what’s going on, the better you understand how lucky you are because of your ability to communicate. Confusion surrounds the day, but you will enjoy yourself if you stay open.
(April 20-May 20) Keep your own counsel, even if someone tries to coerce you into giving him or her some information. A loved one reaches out to you. The conversation you share could be quite intimate. You might adjust your patterns as you gain more understanding.
(May 21-June 20) You can make headway and have a significant conversation with a key person in your life. You might not be as secure as you’d like to be. A friend might become controlling at some point. Recognize how insecure you feel. No one can change that feeling but you.
(June 21-July 22) You might want to change gears and proceed in a new way with a key project, where you’ll be more visible. A conversation could be more serious than you had anticipated — at least, that’s how the other party is taking it. Zero in on what you want.