FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Woodarvers Workshop Coming to Lebanon

(Lebanon, TN) March 12, 2010 - The Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the return of the Renegade Woodcarvers Roundup. The roundup is an intensive caricature-carving workshop. It will be held at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon, March 22-26, where five nationally known caricature-carving instructors will teach students the skills of wood carving.

The cost of the roundup is $200, plus the cost of the roughouts. Studetns will get a chance to carve with each of the instructors during the workshop. One carving, donated by the instructors, will be given away each day in a drawing.

The instructors include Steve Brown, of Madisonville, KY; Dennis Thornton, of Guilford, NY; Jon Nelson, of Colorado Springs, CO; Gary Falin, of Alcoa, TX; and Mike Shipley, of Dora, MO. Brown has been carving since 1978 and teaching since 1986. He has won numerous awards, taught seminars throughout the country, and written two books on carving pen figures and figural kaleidoscopes.

Thornton began carving in 1995. He participates in carving competitions, exhibits sculptures at exhibits and galleries, and teaches seminars throughout the country with his wife, Susan. Thornton is the president of the Caricature Carvers of America. Nelson has been carving since 1993 and teaching since 1994. He teaches in seven states, has won distinguished awards, created a video called "Carving Faces in Cottonwood Bark," and his carvings can be found in collections and galleries around the world.

Falin has been carving for 30 years and teaching for 15 years. He has won several awards and teached in woodcarving clubs and schools throughout the country. Shipley is a self-taught professional caricature carver who has been carving for over 30 years. He has published five carving books, teaches throughout the country, and manufactures the Wells Carving Knife.

Econolodge in Lebanon is offering an special room rate for student woodcarvers, and there are also RV sites available on the grounds.

Additional information on the roundup can be obtained by contacting the Agricultural Center, located on the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, at 615-44-9077, or visiting www.sbrownwoodcarving.com and clicking on the Events tab.

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