How does a woodcarver create a masterpiece?
Whittle by whittle! That’s the running joke in
Marie de Paola’s Woodcarving course at the Adventures
in Learning program of Life Enrichment Services.
A visit to the classroom shows a wide array of carving
types and styles: busts of Native Americans, animals
carved “in the round”, love spoons, violins
and dogwood blossoms in relief, Santas carved out of
cypress knees…and the display of such amazing
talent never ceases.
Marie de Paola has been teaching the Beginning Woodcarving
course every quarter since 1986. Woodcarving gives her
a satisfaction with life as she looks at her wooden
creations. She believes that woodcarving gives her students
satisfaction and helps the everyday worries of life
to efface like wood chips being cut away to form a beautiful
pattern. Many people who take her class make friends
for life, and most go on to the Advanced Woodcarving
course.
“People who carve wood see themselves as
having a very special bond,” said de Paolo. “It
is very easy to make and keep a great circle of friends
as well as having an interesting skill.”
The students in her class worked on new projects, chatting
and laughing together. Several of the students were
carving the traditional “first carving”
in this class; a little dog with flopping ears and tongue.
Student Mary Anderson said she chose de Paola’s
woodcarving class over all others because she not only
loved the variety of woodcarving skills that were offered
but also loved the family atmosphere.
If you are interested in learning the timeless art of
woodcarving, please call Life Enrichment Services today
to register for a class. The number is 404-321-6960.
