We have established a new board of directors all dedicated to restoring the Association to its former glory. During Covid many organizations failed, and we were also falling victim the pandemic. I would like to extend my gratitude to Murray Lincoln for guiding OWCA through this period.

The Ontario Wood Carving Association (OWCA) is proud to welcome John Lemay as our new President. With a passion for wood carving spanning nearly 30 years, John brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and leadership to our community. An accomplished carver, John has received numerous awards in both Canada and the USA. Alongside his wife Claire, he has attended carving roundups across North America, honing his craft and sharing his expertise with fellow enthusiasts. As an active member of five carving clubs and a marquetry club, John remains deeply engaged in the carving world. Beyond wood carving, John’s professional background is equally impressive. He began his career as a licensed carpenter before pursuing further education at Conestoga College, where he studied Facilities Management, Project Management, and Logistics—a commitment that spanned over a decade. His career took him to J.E. Seagram’s, where he served as Facilities Manager and undertook several 5 management courses. Later, he played a key role in converting a Seagram building into a 200-office facility, ensuring its architectural integrity was preserved—a project that earned national recognition. John’s expertise in consulting has impacted high-tech companies and chemistry labs across Ontario, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, where he assessed space requirements, designed future expansions, and managed large-scale relocations, ensuring seamless transitions for teams of up to 200 staff. His leadership experience includes overseeing teams of managers, staff, and contractors throughout his career. Now retired, John devotes much of his time to his passion for carving, actively participating in four different carving clubs. As OWCA’s new President, his vision and expertise will help guide the organization forward, fostering a strong and vibrant woodcarving community. Please join us in welcoming John Lemay to this exciting new role!

The Ontario Wood Carving Association is pleased to introduce Karen Walker, a passionate and talented woodcarver with deep roots in the Fergus area. Having lived in and around the region her entire life, Karen now resides just outside of Alma, north of Kitchener. She is an active member of the Guelph Carving Club, where she continues to refine her craft. Karen’s journey in wood carving has spanned many years, though life’s demands often pulled her away. However, her love for the art never faded. She has a particular passion for caricature carving, drawing inspiration from the book The Full Moon Saloon by the Caricature Carvers of America (CCA). This collection of whimsical and expressive figures encouraged her to explore the unique storytelling aspect of caricature carving. Another pivotal moment in Karen’s carving journey came in 1978 at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), where she saw The Voyagers, a breathtaking work by Benoi Deschenes. Witnessing the transformation of a simple piece of wood into something truly magical left a lasting impression and fueled her desire to pursue carving. Karen’s enthusiasm and appreciation for the artistry of wood carving continue to inspire those around her. We look forward to seeing her contributions and creativity flourish within the carving community!

The Ontario Wood Carving Association is pleased to introduce Lynn Burnett, Lynn’s passion for carving began in childhood when she received a small jackknife as a gift from her grandmother. Growing up, her love for wildlife and the natural world was nurtured by her parents, who encouraged camping, exploring the outdoors, and a deep appreciation for animals. Today, she 6 continues to find inspiration in nature, collecting wood while camping, canoeing, and adventuring outdoors. For the past 18 years, Lynn has dedicated herself to mastering the art of wood carving. She has studied under world-class carvers, refining her skills in using knives, chisels, power tools, and paint to transform wood into three-dimensional sculptures and intricate relief carvings. Her work has earned numerous first-place awards in carving competitions and has been featured twice in Wildfowl Carving magazine’s Competition edition. Lynn has completed commissioned pieces for collectors across Canada and the U.S. and was recently interviewed for a newscast highlighting her carving process and participation in an Artists’ Studio Tour. One of her greatest joys is inspiring others to discover and embrace the art of wood carving.

The Ontario Wood Carving Association is pleased to welcome Steve Hibbard. Born in Toronto, Steve moved to Cambridge in the early 1970s, where he raised his family. He dedicated 31 years to the Waterloo Regional Police Service, retiring at the rank of Superintendent. Following his retirement, he accepted a position as Deputy Director at the Ontario Police College, which led to his relocation to Tillsonburg, where he now resides. After retiring in 2009, Steve discovered his passion for wood carving and joined the Tri-County Carvers in Otterville. Over the years, he has attended numerous carving workshops and seminars, continuously honing his skills. For the past ten years, he has also shared his knowledge by instructing at the Ingersoll Senior Centre carver’s group. For Steve, carving is more than just a hobby—it’s a passion and an opportunity to escape into creativity.

Murray Lincoln’s journey with wood carving began at the age of seven, sitting alongside his grandfather and whittling a simple stick down to a pile of wood chips with a pocket knife. That moment sparked a lifelong passion for the craft. Now, at 81 years old, Murray has explored and mastered a wide variety of carving styles, each one deepening his appreciation for the art. Over the years, Murray has carved in many places across Canada, from coast to coast and in almost every province and territory. His love for carving has also taken him around the world—carving in Hong Kong, experiencing the intricate artistry of Thailand, and meeting incredible carvers in Kenya. Through his craft, Murray has not only created works of art but has also used carving as a way to help people who cannot help themselves, believing that this simple act can truly change lives. For the past five years, Murray has had the privilege of serving as President of the Ontario Wood Carvers Association. During his tenure, he has enjoyed connecting with carvers from across the province and participating in numerous carving shows—each event reinforcing the strong sense of community within the OWCA. Now, as he steps into the role of Past President, Murray remains an active and dedicated member, supporting John Lemay as he takes on the leadership of the association. With a full life of wood, sharp knives, and countless wood chips, Murray looks forward to seeing the OWCA grow and thrive in the years ahead.

Mike lives in Thunder Bay with his wife Elspeth and has four ‘kids’ scattered across Canada along with seven grandchildren. He has his first carving, done in high school and has carved most actively after retiring as a school principal. He has been a very active member of Thunder Bay Carvers and twice its president. Mike carves a wide variety of subjects and has taught carving for many years.

My name is Alec Pritchard and I have been carving since 2007. I tend to lean toward the caricature carvings, but also do other styles of carvings as well.

When I started carving I was lucky enough to take lessons from Eldon Humphries. I learned a lot from this great carver.

I teach carving in different clubs and also in my home, I have been teaching young girls from the ages of 9 to 14 years of age. Three of them have entered their carvings into the Wood Show at Rim Park and have won prises. I am pleased that two of them were my Grand Daughters.

I am a member of the Guelph Carving Club as well as the Pine Meadows Carving Club. At each of the clubs I assist other carvers whether it be design, layout, or helping with the carvings. I also teach sharpening of the various tools either in a group session or individually.

I was lucky enough to have a carving selected for the Southwestern Art Show which they had over 1500 entries, but only selected 75 to be in the show. My caricature carving of Willie Nelson was in the show for three months. I was very proud to have my art work in an art show.