The Carving on the Edge Festival celebrates traditional and contemporary carving arts with something for everyone from lovers of arts & culture to carvers of all skill levels. This year’s festival features exhibits, forums, evening programs, workshops, demonstrations, cultural presentations and canoe tours. Sept 7-10
Come and experience the power of west coast carving at the Edge Art Show, a community exhibit that launches with the Carving on the Edge Festival and is hosted by the carvers on-site in the Open Carving Area. Sept 7-12
Festival Events and Workshops
Evening Programs
Public galas and presentations.
Workshops
Enjoy hands on learning.
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Upcoming Events
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Open Carving Area – Thursday, September 7th-12th, 2017
The Open Carving Area recreates the workshop environment for the carvers. In this relaxed atmosphere you will find a diversity of styles and skill levels, all actively working on their craft. This is a rare opportunity for the public to interact with the artists and for the artists to build relationships with each other. The festival has become known as a very inclusive and generous place for sharing all aspects of the trade. Many artistic collaborations and long term friendships have been…
Find out more »Woodblock Printmaking with Dan Law – Thursday, September 7th, 2017 – AM
Come practice the art of Woodblock Printmaking with local artist Dan Law. Participants will have the opportunity to carve their own designs on locally salvaged maple blocks (8 x 6) using high quality woodcutting tools. They will use these to create a small run of prints using the artist's custom made 24" intaglio press with archival paper and inks. Space for 10 participants. Register Online Powered by Eventbrite INSTRUCTOR BIO Dan Law is a full time professional artist living and working…
Find out more »Crooked Knife Making with Rick Wolcott – Thursday, September 7th, 2017
Students will be guided through the process of making their own crooked carving knife. You will be provided with a flat ground 01 tool steel blank and a new file for shaping the blank. A gas torch is used to heat the steel to bend into a crook and to harden the blade. Your finished knife will be fastened to a handle with rivets. This is an all day workshop, please bring your own lunch. Space for 10 participants. Register…
Find out more »Woodblock Printmaking with Dan Law – Thursday, September 7th, 2017 – PM
Come practice the art of Woodblock Printmaking with local artist Dan Law. Participants will have the opportunity to carve their own designs on locally salvaged maple blocks (8 x 6) using high quality woodcutting tools. They will use these to create a small run of prints using the artist's custom made 24" intaglio press with archival paper and inks. Space for 10 participants. Register Online Powered by Eventbrite INSTRUCTOR BIO Dan Law is a full time professional artist living and working…
Find out more »Edge Art Show – Opening Night – Thursday, September 7th, 2017
On Opening Night we open the doors to the annual Edge Art Show and this year's featured new work. The Edge Art Show is an eclectic showcase of carved work from all corners of our coastal creative community. Arrive on time to receive a Tla-o-qui-aht Welcome led by local elder and beach-keeper Barney Williams. We will be unveiling a new photography installation by Melody Charlie, First Nations Photographer. We will also be Live Printing on-site with new work by Ivy Cargill-Martin, Tania Willard, Marianne Nicholson, and Marika Swan.…
Find out more »Bentwood Box Workshop with Joe Martin – Friday, September 8th, 2017
Tla-o-qui-aht master canoe carver Joe Martin will introduce the traditional teachings and uses of the Huupukwanum, or the Nuu-chah-nulth bentwood box. The Huupukwanum has many utilitarian purposes for the Nuu-chah-nulth people but also carries a strong symbology around the teachings, rights, dances and songs held by the chiefs. Participants will have the opportunity to steam and fasten their own 8 x 11 inch box using cedar. This is a full day workshop and will take place on the Shore Pier outside under the…
Find out more »Tool Sharpening with Christen Dokk Smith – Friday, September 8th, 2017 – AM
Join us for a live Tool Sharpening Demonstration with local Norwegian carver Christen Dokk Smith. Christen will be demonstrating an array of sharpening techniques for wood carvers aimed to support you in keeping your tools functional, well-maintained, and carving ready. Donations for the demo welcomed. In the second hour limited spaces will be available for 1 on 1 sharpening tutorial with your own tools. Register Online Powered by Eventbrite INSTRUCTOR BIO Born and raised in Norway, Christen Dokk Smith did a…
Find out more »Spoon Carving Workshop with Rick Wolcott – Friday, September 8th, 2017
Students will be guided through the process of carving an ornamental (and functional!) spoon with the use of hand tools. There will be instruction on wood grain, alignment and essential personal and tool safety. You will be provided with a pre-shaped blank of wood and carving tools for the workshop. From simple to fancy depends on how far you want to take it in this fun and informative introduction to wood carving. Space for 10 participants. Register Online Powered by Eventbrite…
Find out more »Tool Sharpening with Christen Dokk Smith – Friday, September 8th, 2017 – PM
Join us for a live Tool Sharpening Demonstration with local Norwegian carver Christen Dokk Smith. Christen will be demonstrating an array of sharpening techniques for wood carvers aimed to support you in keeping your tools functional, well-maintained, and carving ready. Donations for the demo welcomed. In the second hour limited spaces will be available for 1 on 1 sharpening tutorial with your own tools. Register Online Powered by Eventbrite INSTRUCTOR BIO Born and raised in Norway, Christen Dokk Smith did a…
Find out more »Skipper Sisters Dugout Canoe Tour – Friday September 8th, 2017
Join local Skipper Sisters Gisele and Tsimka Martin on a Tla-o-qui-aht language odyssey in our traditional coastal dugout canoes. While out soaking up the spirit of this place you will learn some of the ancestral language spoken for thousands of years by our local communities. Don't fret if you are a little rusty on your sea-faring skills or local lingo. You will be expertly guided through the basics of properly using your paddle, the magic of "pulling together", and a respectful…
Find out more »Coastal Trade Routes – Artist Talks with Marianne Nicholson and Nicholas Galanin – Friday, September 8th, 2017
Our Friday Night program Coastal Trade Routes honours the vast community networks that connect our stories up and down the west coast. Through the refinement and mastery of our dug-out canoes, coastal people's cultivated nation to nation relationships that wove our bloodlines together generation after generation. This evening we welcome two powerhouse artists from the northern coastline to share some insight into their work and world views. Opening Presentation: Nicholas Galanin (Yeil Ya-Tseen) will be sharing a slideshow of his creative art practice: “I…
Find out more »Viking Carving with Christen Dokk Smith – Saturday, September 9th, 2017
Learn to carve in the Viking style with local carver Christen Dokk Smith. We will be working with low relief viking design in hardwood based on carvings from the Viking era (approximately 850 CE). There will be a strong teaching focus on repetitive details and accurate knife/tool handling. This workshop is a great opportunity for west coast carvers to explore cultural carving from another region. Suitable for carvers with some low relief carving experience. This is a 7 hour workshop…
Find out more »Printmaking for Families with Dan Law – Saturday, September 9th, 2017
Drop in printmaking for youth and families. This workshop is designed for beginners of all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to design and carve a printing block which they will use to create a small run of prints using the artist's custom made 24" intaglio press. This class is drop in all day. 4 x 6 foam block - $5 6 x 8 lino block - $10 4 x 6 maple wood block - $15 6 x 8 maple wood…
Find out more »Bentwood Box Workshop with Joe Martin – Saturday, September 9th, 2017
Tla-o-qui-aht master canoe carver Joe Martin will introduce the traditional teachings and uses of the Huupukwanum, or the Nuu-chah-nulth bentwood box. The Huupukwanum has many utilitarian purposes for the Nuu-chah-nulth people but also carries a strong symbology around the teachings, rights, dances and songs held by the chiefs. Participants will have the opportunity to steam and fasten their own 8 x 11 inch box using cedar. This is a full day workshop and will take place on the Shore Pier outside under the…
Find out more »Skipper Sisters Dugout Canoe Tour – Saturday September 9th, 2017
Join local Skipper Sisters Gisele and Tsimka Martin on a Tla-o-qui-aht language odyssey in our traditional coastal dugout canoes. While out soaking up the spirit of this place you will learn some of the ancestral language spoken for thousands of years by our local communities. Don't fret if you are a little rusty on your sea-faring skills or local lingo. You will be expertly guided through the basics of properly using your paddle, the magic of "pulling together", and a respectful…
Find out more »The Journey of Objects – Moderated Artist Panel – Saturday, September 9th, 2017
The Journey of Objects - Moderated Artist Panel Thousands of carvings created from the flesh of this land have travelled the world carrying the story of this place with them. Cultural items such as headdresses, masks, totem poles, clubs, boxes, bowls, and rattles from our region are spread out through museums and private collections around the world. Some of these objects were utilized and cared for by coastal peoples for generations before being traded out of our communities. Others were created to satisfy…
Find out more »2018 Carving on the Edge Festival
The Carving on the Edge Festival celebrates traditional and contemporary carving arts with something for everyone from lovers of arts & culture to carvers of all skill levels. Full event details and schedule will be finalized in August, 2018. Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on evening talks, workshops and all events.
Find out more »Festival Photos
We love to take pictures during the festival. Enjoy a taste of our previous events by having a look at photo galleries from past events.
Our Sponsors
We're grateful for the generous support of our festival sponsors.
