Rocky Mountain Carver Roundup takes over Midway Town Hall May 18 – 22

Photo: Carvings by Craig Simons // Photos by Kirsten Kohlwey

MIDWAY, Utah ­­— Rocky Mountain Carver Roundup (RMCR) invites the public to check out their carving workshops May 18-22 at the Midway Town Hall, 120 West Main Street in Midway. Activities run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a dinner break from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This event began eight years ago, when Craig Simons, the current mayor of Midway, invited a friend to teach woodcarving classes in Midway to attract business to the area. After trying several venues, RMCR has settled on the Midway Town Hall because it allows all carving activities to take place in a single large room.

RMCR has grown over the years, in size as well as in its impact ­­from one instructor to over 10, with participants from coast to coast. They have several different ways to enjoy the RMCR. Even if you don’t take one of their carving classes, the public is welcome to visit Midway Town Hall and see what is happening, purchase roughouts, and on Thursday evening join them for the BBQ and listen to the outdoor concert. There is no charge to look around. The public can participate in a drop-in class on Tuesday or Wednesday evening for just $30.

For the first time this year, they will teach pyrography classes on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Pyrography is the art of decorating wood or other objects with heated objects, also known as wood burning. Also available is a sculpture class. Evening classes start around 6 p.m. RMCR is a very social group that is happy to help both beginning and experienced woodcarvers. Pyrography can be used to create very realistic images. Craig Simons, who has been carving for about 20 years, currently has 40 hours of work into a moose carving where he is using pyrography to create each strand of hair separately.

Carving classes are appropriate for those 12 years old and up. They have had a grandfather and grandson team participate in the 5-day classes in the past. Thursday evening is youth carving night. “We’ve got the tools, we’ve got the people to help. We have the safety equipment. We’ll start with some very basic carving projects,” says Craig Simons. “Last year, we had soap carving for kids even younger to try with the butter knife and a bar of ivory soap. The idea is to start those creative opportunities. So many kids don’t have hobbies anymore.”

The talent teaching at this roundup is impressive, as are the affordable prices. Many of the instructors have won top prizes with their carvings and if you admire signs, the sign for Pirates of the Caribbean was carved by one of them. One of the class options assigns participants to a different instructor each day. While you may choose a wish list of instructors, you are only guaranteed a different instructor for each day, for the price of just $400 for all five days. Each instructor has a different specialty and the price of roughouts is separate. Register as soon as possible, class sizes are limited.

If you are looking for more one-on-one time with your instructor or other projects outside the 5-day-5-instructor classes you can enroll in a 5-day class with Chris Hammack. Come with an idea for a cool carving and Chris will show you how to take your idea to a finished carving.  The price of the class includes the wood.

Another option is 5 Day Design & Carving with Tyler Borg for $550. Tyler will be teaching design and help you carve your sign. Tyler uses jelutong wood and the wood is included.