Great Plains Wood Carvers (GPWC) was founded in 1966 as the Kansas Chapter of the National Wood Carvers Association. GPWC serves Wichita and the surrounding communities through a monthly newsletter, club meeting and carve-in, and an annual show and sale. GPWC offers an environment through which anyone interested in the art of wood carving can meet to exchange ideas and share carving techniques.
Great Plains Wood Carvers meet on the second Tuesday of each month for dinner and a carving related program.
GPWC offers monthly carving meetings on the 4th Tuesday of each month at Evergreen Public Library. The carve-in offers a small carving project taught by a guest instructor, or carvers can simply come and work on their own projects.
GPWC also sponsors woodcarving seminars featuring local and nationally known instructors. The seminars are designed to help the beginning and advanced carvers improve their skills.
Membership to Great Plains Wood Carvers is $12 per year, per person. Membership includes a monthly newsletter with information on monthly meetings, carve-ins, and wood carving activities throughout the Country.
Great Plains Wood Carvers hosts an annual Show and Sale in May of each year at the Cessna Activity Center. The show brings together wood carving artists from throughout the United States for a 2-day show and sale. The show includes a judged carving competition, commercial vendors, a carving contest, purchase awards, and a Sunday brunch.
Each September, GPWC hosts the club picnic and annual election of officers.
Great Plains Wood Carvers networks with other carving organizations across the United States, including the National Wood Carvers Association, The International Wood Carvers Congress, the Caricature Carvers of America, and a variety of regional clubs in an effort to share information and to support woodcarving.
