CREEDE — The annual Woodcarver’s Rendezvous is ready to hit the streets of Creede beginning on July 8. The event is a weeklong chance for anyone wanting to learn the art of woodcarving and more to come and join the fun. This year features several new classes and offers something for everyone wanting to spend a few days creating works of art with talented and experienced instructors.

The event began 30 years ago when founders Fran and Ivan Vanaken who after years of teaching the art of woodcarving in schools, thought Creede would be the perfect place to start a woodcarving club. According to the history, Fran invited members of another club based out of the Front Range to the area to see if they were interested in hosting an event in Creede. It did not take long for word to spread about the unique venue and beautiful location for the Woodcarver’s Rendezvous to take hold. The event has been a favorite in the area ever since.

This year’s event will feature over 15 instructors that come from all walks of life to teach the art of woodcarving to participants. The event takes place in the Underground Community Center located north of town where instructors and vendors will pack the long corridors with a wide variety of wooden homemade gifts and classes for participants.

The event begins on Saturday, July 8, and continues all week long with live and silent auctions, classes, lectures from several instructors, daily drawings and ends with a banquet. The event is made possible through the auction items that are donated by participating artists that come to not only share their expertise in the art of woodcarving but to share their personal works of art as well.

Students that register for the event can learn everything from carving walking sticks to mastering the art of creating wood figures with a chisel. Participants can learn how to make Christmas ornaments, wooden drums, wood burning techniques and much more. There are even classes that teach the art of stone carving, jewelry making, watercolor painting, and bead crocheting.

Though the event has seen fewer and fewer participants over the past couple of years, event coordinators are preparing for a much more successful 2023 and ask that anyone wishing to participate in any of the classes, to pre-register online. Walk-in registration will also be available during the week. Registration for any left-over openings in the many classes being offered will be available on the first day of the event.

Not only do visitors come to learn new art forms, but they also stay to enjoy the many shops in and around Creede, take time to enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities and visit the Creede Repertory Theatre. The Ladies Aid Bazaar will be taking place at the old gym on July 12 and 13.

For a full class schedule or to pre-register, visit www.creedewoodcarvers.com.