click the image to enlarge Original founding members of CCA Front, L to R. Bolton, Rasmussen, Stetson, Dunham, Enlow. Back, L to R. Prescott, Sears, Price, Travis, Batte

    

The CCA: A Short History

Seventeen years have passed since a group of ten wood carvers, with the common goal of promoting the art of caricature carving, met in the back room of Paxton Lumber Co. in Fort Worth, TX to discuss the formation of a national organization to further that goal. From that meeting came the Caricature Carvers of America (CCA). The founding group consisted of fifteen nationally recognized carvers representing a broad geographical distribution as well as diverse styles of caricature carving.  Several of the founding members were pioneers in the field of caricature carving.  Since the inception of the CCA, four founding members are deceased, and several others have converted their membership to emeritus status (retired with honor).  At this writing only six of the founding members retain active membership. New members have replaced our retirees.  Over the years the combined membership has garnered several hundred first place ribbons, including many "Best-of-Show," in carving competitions across the nation, and two CCA members have claimed “Best-of-Show” at the International Woodcarving Congress in Davenport.  They have published close to 100 books on caricature carving, and they regularly teach wood carving seminars throughout the United States and Canada.

To achieve these goals, the CCA has embarked on an ambitious schedule of activities including carving exhibitions, group-taught seminars, and the publication of trend-setting books on caricature carving. The CCA membership is strongly committed to education in woodcarving. Most members teach wood carving seminars on a regular basis.

Highlights of our first 17 years
Our premier carving exhibit was held at the National Museum of Woodcarving in Custer, SD during the summer of 1991. That exhibit, consisting of 40-50 original carvings, returned to Custer for several years.  

Our first book, the highly acclaimed "Carving the Full Moon Saloon" was published by Fox Chapel in 1995. The book, featuring the work of 21 CCA members, includes over 150 color photographs, substantial text concerning the creative aspect of caricature carving, and patterns for each of the principal carvings in the saloon. The idea for the project was conceived at the 1993 annual meeting in Wichita, KS. The carvings and the saloon setting were completed in time for the 1994 meeting in Fort Worth, TX, and the book was released in conjunction with the 1995 International Woodcarving Congress in Davenport, IA. The Full Moon Saloon is currently displayed at selected Woodcraft Supply stores around the country.

Our second book "Carving the Caricature Carvers of America Circus" was published by Fox Chapel in 1997 and chronicles the carving of the 130+ piece CCA Circus. Each member contributed a minimum of three carvings.  The finished circus features a large “big top” tent and three rings of activity…acrobats, clowns, and a host of circus animals are included in the CCA circus. The book also includes more than 60 patterns for these colorful characters.

Our third book, “CCA Signature Collection” features carvings from most of our current and former members. Each member chapter contains color photographs of the carving, helpful tips for those who wish to carve the featured piece, and a pattern. The CCA Signature Collection is currently on display at Engler Designs, located in the Grand Village, Branson, Missouri.  The book can be purchased in CD format from our “CCA Store” on our website. 

In 2004 we offered a collection of CCA carvings for sale on eBay.  The carvings, representing the work of all 24 active members at the time, were offered as individual lots.  The purpose of that auction was to generate funds to support our effort in promoting caricature carving.  The response from the collecting community to that sale far exceeded our expectations.  A second benefit from the sale was that it gave the collecting community an opportunity to acquire carvings from those of our members who do not sell their work. 

Perhaps our most important endeavor to date was the inception of the CCA National Caricature Carving Competition. This event is open to all caricature carvers throughout the World. The first CCA competition was held in collaboration with Silver Dollar City in October 2002. In 2006 the competition will be held in September at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN.  After a strong run at Dollywood the competition was moved to Converse, IN in 2007.

In Conclusion
As we look back over the past seventeen years we are extremely proud of the contributions that we have made to the world of caricature carving.   Seventeen years ago it was indeed a rare event when a caricature carving won a “Best-of-Show” ribbon.  Now it happens fairly often.  We have also seen an explosion in the number of caricature carvings entered into competition at shows around the country.  This is most apparent at the International Woodcarving Congress.  Likewise, caricature carving seminars are being offered in large numbers, and caricature carving classes have become an important part of the curriculum of many of the larger carving seminars.  After seventeen years our organization remains strongly committed to our original goals.   We are planning several new activities that should be of interest to all caricature carvers. Watch for details in major carving publications or on our website www.cca-carvers.org.