For all of you who have attended the Central Valley Birding Symposium you either know, or know of Chester Wilcox. He is the amazing wood carver who each year has a table with his finished pieces and current work at the Symposium. Chester will be exhibiting his art and competing at the 53rd Annual Wildfowl Art Festival. The event hosts numerous carving competitions organized by bird species, size of carvings, and other criteria. They are currently looking for expert birders to serve as judges. If interested please contact me at sacaudubonpresident@gmail.com
I had the pleasure of meeting Chester last year and purchased one of his pieces as a Sacramento Audubon gift to one of our amazing donors. Chester began carving in 1982, and he is now 85 years young. He describes his work as “a hobby that got out of hand,” with over 2,000 pieces to his name! I visited his workshop and was simply amazed at his incredible attention to detail. Every feather is intricately carved and painted. His work inspired my wife and I to commission a piece for our home. It will be a half size Osprey perched on a snag. His wife of 60 years, Dorothy, is his partner in crime and currently manages aspects of the work along with the Wildfowl Art Classic.
Sacramento Aucubon has been provided free passes for those who would like to attend. Please email sacaudubonpresident@gmail.com for a pass.
–Paul Miller
