Check out our amazing offering of lectures, workshops, panels, and demos for this year’s Ward World Championship Education Conference! All classes will take place in person in Ocean City, MD. All proceeds benefit the Ward Foundation and the Ward World Championship Carving Competition. Purchase an Education Conference Pass to make the most of the show.
For those that would like to attend a class to further their carving knowledge but have a financial need you can apply for the Dr. Ruth Carroll Memorial Carving Class Scholarship fund. Email kclattenburg@wardfdn.org to learn how to apply. More details to come.
World Championship Seminar Schedule
Go to the bottom of the page for demos and classes during the event!
Thursday, April 24th 2025
Pat Godin: A Discussion of the Design and Creation of Several World Class Pieces
LECTURE // 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm // Room 217B
Pat Godin, with the use of projected images, will talk about the inspiration, design, and creation of a number of his World Class decorative life size and miniature bird carvings. Some of these pieces have placed Best in World in their classes. Several techniques will be addressed including modelling, metal work, fine detailing, and painting. Pat will also talk in depth about the importance of composing and designing your bird carvings. Attendance to this event is free.
Friday, April 25th 2025
C John Sullivan, Rod Benjamin, Chris Pusey, Burt Campbell: Collecting History
PANEL // 9:30 am – 11:00 am // Room 217B
Carvers are but one side of the wildfowl art coin; the other is collectors. Learn about the collection and preservation of history from four noted collectors for a one hour panel discussion. Hear the rich pasts and special stories behind favorite, beloved pieces, how to start your own collection, and more. Questions for the collectors will be welcome.
Tom Christie: Creating a Winning Waterfowl Pattern
LECTURE // 9:30 am – 11:00 am // Room 217A
In this one hour lecture six-time World Champion Tom Christie will step through the process he uses to create his own decoy carving patterns. Some of the topics discussed will include gathering great reference materials, key attributes of a winning pattern, the pattern development process and equipment needed, flotation considerations, and some approaches for developing patterns for the more complex, animated carving poses.
Tommy Stewart: Bill Detail and Support
LECTURE // 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm // Room 215B
TBA
Al Jordan: Owl Anatomy: Applying the Intricacies to Your Carving
LECTURE // 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm // Room 217A
TBA
Paul Rhymer, Dan Burgette: Creating Sculptures*
PANEL // 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm // Room 217B
TBA
Saturday, April 26th 2025
Dick Snyder: Carving Miniatures and Champagne Pieces*
LECTURE // 11:15 am – 12:15 pm // Room 215B
Dick Snyder will talk about the challenges associated with carving miniature birds. He will cover topics that include carving, painting, texturing, and proportions. He will additionally discuss tools used in their creation such as carving bits, paint brushes, and burning pens.
Peter Palumbo: Critiquing
LECTURE/WORKSHOP // 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm // Room 217A
Come for an opportunity for an open discussion where carvers can pick Pete’s brain, ask questions and have him look at your work. Workshop participants are welcome to bring pieces that they entered, works in progress, or plans for future work. Carvers are also welcome to just sit in and listen or join in the dialogue at the lecture ticket price. Topic focus will be on design, anatomy, color, and competition. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKSHOP, PLEASE STOP AT THE EDUCATION TABLE IN THE ENTRANCE HALL. Pieces entered in the show can be pulled from the floor with staff assistance for this workshop.
Peter Palumbo: Color Theory*
LECTURE // 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm // Room 217A
TBA
Larry Barth: From the Field to Finished
LECTURE // 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm // Room 217B
Join the 2024 Ward World Championship winner Larry Barth for a behind the scenes look at his work in progress on a world class entry. There will be an emphasis on design, composition, habitat and technical challenges as he displays photos of his piece throughout its composition.
Sunday, April 27th 2025
Larry Barth, Jett Brunet, Pat Godin: Topic To Be Announced
PANEL // 10:00 am – 11:30 am // Room 217B
TBA
*Titles subject to change.
| Individual Costs: Only want to go to one or two things? Each educational session is available for individual purchase. Lectures – $3 Member, $4 Non-Member Workshops – $20 Member, $25 Non-Member Panels – $6 Member, $8 Non-Member | Education Conference Pass: Conference Passes are the best way to make the most of the education offerings. These passes will be sold at the show throughout the weekend starting Thursday during registration. — Basic Conference Pass: $30 Member, $35 Non-Member. Includes all lectures, plus one workshop and one panel of choice. — Full Conference Pass: $40 Member, $50 Non-Member. Includes all lectures, workshops, and panels. |
World Championship Classes and Demos
AB Hall Technique Demonstrations
Check out the demo space in AB Hall to see carvers hard at work honing their craft.
FRIDAY
10:00 am – Youth Carver Jack Revie: Carving
1:00 pm – Ryan Torbett: Hatchet Carving
2:30 pm – Jeff Rechin: Simplistic Painting
SATURDAY
10:00 am – Matt Sewell: Canvas Decoys
1:00 pm – Al Jordan: Owl Carving
2:30 pm – Scott Belote: TBA
SUNDAY
10:00 am – Art Leonard: Hatchet Carving
Youth Painting Class: Peep or Dove with Matt Sewell
Friday and Saturday // 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
>> Registration Required // Free for Youth
A free class for kids happening in AB Hall. Join carver Matt Sewell to sand and paint a peep on Friday and a dove on Saturday. Materials will be provided. Space is limited and registration is strongly encouraged. We cannot guarantee space for a walk-up student.
Beginner Carving Class with Ross Smoker
Saturday, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
>> Registration Required // $80 for Members, $100 for Non-Members
Join Living Legend Ross Smoker to carve a miniature bird. This is a perfect class for someone who is just getting into carving or as a gift for someone who wants to get into carving. The class will be on Saturday (4/26/25) afternoon from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and will take place at the Ocean City Convention Center during the Ward World Championship Carving Competition. All materials will be provided and participants will leave with a hand-carved bird.