Two by Two lengths milled from salvaged maple tree branches were glued together for the top. Material for the rest came from scraps saved over the years because "they might come in handy someday". The only "store bought" items were the bench dogs.
South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc. is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of South Dakota for the purpose of preserving and expanding the fine art of woodcarving. While its origins and membership are primarily located in the area of Sioux Falls, SD, all woodcarving organizations and individual carvers within the state are welcome to make contributions to this web site and and share its benefits.
Saturday, October 04, 2025
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Sunday, March 10, 2024
A Modern Master Woodcarver
One of several YouTube videos featuring Alexander Grabovetskiy:
The Way to Become a Master Woodcarver
Sunday, March 05, 2023
February Third Saturday Carving Project
Sunday, January 22, 2023
A Good Time to Visit Florida!
Feb 7-10, 2023 .... tues-fri
WELCOME to the 2023 Florida Woodcarvers Roundup! Please check out our excellent class lineup listed below. You are welcome to take one class or even four straight days of classes. Create your own schedule! Walk-ins welcome however it is best to pre-register before the class fills up. Register by class # by email or call Chris at 507-339-0336.
Location: VFW/North Port • 4860 Trott Circle
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Monday, May 23, 2022
Monday, May 02, 2022
Dick Peterson
Friday, March 11, 2022
2022 Good Egg Award
Saturday, January 15, 2022
Friday, January 14, 2022
In Memory of Dick Sabers
See his obituary at:
https://www.argusleader.com/obituaries/sal079673
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
In Memory of Ronald White
See Obituary:
Tuesday, September 07, 2021
Call for Artists | 40th Annual Artists of the Plains Art Show & Sale
The Center for Western Studies at Augustana University is thrilled to announce the 40th Annual Artists of the Plains Art Show will be held November 5-7, 2021, at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Sioux Falls. To be considered for the 2021 show, please complete the artist questionnaire and return it to CWS no later than September 17, 2021.
Also:
Artists of the Plains: 40th Anniversary Exhibit
September 13--November 7, 2021
![]() |
| Arne's Norwegian Ale Bowl will be there along with fine art by previous Artist of the Plains exhibitors |
Fantle Building
2121 S. Summit Ave
Sioux Falls SD
Sunday, June 06, 2021
New Project for June 3rd Saturday Meeting
Carve a spoon by Mark Ivan Fortune featured in Woodcarving Illustrated Summer 2021, Issue #95!
See more of Mark's carvings on Facebook
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
In Memory of Rush Limbaugh
RUSH ON MT. RUSHMORE, carved in a 4x6x12 inch block of basswood for the purpose of raising money via the Red Cross for Sioux Falls area victims of the 1993 flood. (Photo shows carving posed between a painted background and trees cut out from pages of a Nature magazine). The project was inspired by Jeff Gould, then a popular radio broadcaster for KELO AM, where one could tune in every day since 1988 to hear Rush Limbaugh.
Sunday, January 03, 2021
Bill Huntimer
BORN
September 13, 1931
DIED
December 31, 2020
We mourn the passing of our dear friend and loyal member of SDWC. Both he and his wife Evelyn were talented club members and served respectively as Treasurer and Secretary. Bill's service to country and community extended way beyond our woodcarving club: Over the air and far away | The American Legion.
Evelyn posted the following on FaceBook:
I am so grateful for all the kind expressions of sympathy now at the time of my husband Bill's death. He didn't really care much for Facebook or took the time to figure out a way to appreciate it. But to me it hasn't been just a gossip place, but a source of comfort at this time. Other times a place to see things that make me laugh. Even the political arguments are interesting. I didn't know Bill in his younger years. He was 49 when we met. I'm sure I missed a lot, but these last 40 years have more than made up for it. Now in the middle of the many decisions that need to be made I'll keep all the memories in my heart. He was a great man, maybe a little rough around the edges at times, but always kind to me and the children. He had a determination and drive that kept him going all these 89 years. Even through the pain of injuries and illnesses he kept going. His philosophy was that when he was sick he could work it off. Very hard for me to understand that. I'd rather just go to bed until I am well. It didn't work out so well for him this time. I guess he had to give in and go rest. A rest that he very much deserved after all he did and accomplished in this life. With God he's getting the rest, peace and happiness that he so deserves. Our family and I are going to miss him. It is a comfort to know that he is in a better place and we'll all hold these memories in our hearts. And thank you everyone for your caring expressions of sympathy. God bless you every one.
See Obituary: William Huntimer Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information (legacy.com)
Monday, May 11, 2020
An Online Conversation with Harley and Norma Refsal
Thursday, May 14, 2020 | 7:00 p.m.
Location: Online Webinar - See link below
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
https://vesterheim.org/program/celebrating-norwegian-folk-art-with-harley-and-norma-refsal/
Monday, November 11, 2019
Remembering Gene Abdallah 1936-2019
It was an honor, a privilege, and a bit of a challenge to be commissioned to carve a caricature of the late Gene Abdalla to be presented at his party for retiring as U. S. Marshal in 1994. The assignment by former honorary member of South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc., the honorable Frank Gibbs, was to show Gene attired as an old west marshal holding a hat with two bullet holes. The end of his many years of service under President Reagan was supposedly due to shots fired by Sen. Daschle and Pres. Clinton. It was admittedly a boost to my ego to see glimpses of the carving on the KSFY news presentation remembering Gene Abdallah:
https://www.ksfy.com/content/news/Remembering-Gene-Abdallah--564731712.html
A quote from Gene’s Obituary (well worth reading): “Former Governor Bill Janklow perhaps summed it up best when he stated: "Someday, years from now, historians will rediscover Gene Abdallah in the files. From all the official documents, they will learn a lot about him and discover both what most people know about Gene and what most people never knew about him. These historians will come to know that behind the biggest badge in South Dakota was the biggest heart in South Dakota.”
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/argusleader/obituary.aspx?n=gene-g-abdallah&pid=194344771&fhid=18053














