Decoy Carving Workshop
2010 Programs
November 5 - 7
A once necessary trade has been transformed into a unique art form. Centuries ago, hunters began to carve decoys in order to lure live birds closer to where they were hiding and making the animals easy targets. Today these gorgeous carvings of ducks, geese and other wildfowl are not only used as functional hunting tools but also collected by those who enjoy the artistry of these wooden carvings.
Now you too can create these beautiful wooden sculptures. Learn the art of making a decoy, in the Marine Science Consortium’s decoy carving workshop. Hands-on carving instruction will be given by an experienced decoy carver, who will discuss proper knife use and basic carving techniques. In this workshop students will carve a Canvasback, one of the most popular of all decoys. Carvers will use knives and rasps to carve and shape their decoy. Students will also be taught how to assemble decoys, eye placement and final painting of decoys.
Cost: $295/person (includes meals, lodging, instruction, boat trip and all decoy carving materials)
Click on a program name for dates and details.
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About the Instructor:
Our instructor Ed Morrison has been carving for over 25 years. Ed’s specialty is working style decoys. In order to preserve the traditional ways of decoy carving Ed uses knives, spoke shaves, and rasps to carve his decoys instead of power tools. For the past 8 years Ed has spread his love of the art through workshops and classes. He is a member of the Back Bay Wildfowl Guild and the Albemarle Craftsman’s Guild and lives in Virginia Beach, VA.
Schedule
Friday
3:30-5:00 Check in with Special Programs Coordinator at MSC
5:15-6:15 Dinner
7:00-9:00 Group welcome and schedule overview
Introductions
Overview of Decoy Carving & Construction
Saturday
7:30-8:30 Breakfast
8:30-12:00 Work on Decoys
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:30 Boat Trip/Bird Watching
3:00-5:00 Work on Decoys
5:30-6:30 Dinner
6:30-8:00 Evening Program
Sunday
7:30-8:30 Breakfast
8:30-10:30 Painting Decoys
The Marine Science Consortium 7278 Enterprise Street Wallops Island, VA 23337 757-824-5636 Email: mscva@msconsortium.org
The Marine Science Consortium
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A residential environmental learning center and field station on Virginia's Eastern Shore
