With life breathed into them by capable wood carvers, the rustic material of tree trunks and branches had been transformed into intricately decorated walking sticks, comical cowboy figurines and practical toothpick holders.

The art was on display Saturday at the Santa Maria Valley Carvers show, “Artistry in Wood,” held at the Veterans Memorial Community Center at 313 W. Tunnell St. in Santa Maria.

The event, which also includes a raffle, whittling contests, carving demonstrations and free wood burning classes, continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A donation of $2 per adult is requested for admission.

The 23rd annual show by the Santa Maria Valley Carvers drew artists from across California who offered their creations for sale and entered competitions.

For the first time, the California Carvers Guild State Championship Competition was held in Santa Maria, and the entries were laid out on a table Saturday for public judging. Based on the votes of the public, first-, second- and third-place finishers were chosen for both adult and youth categories, said Frank Devine, apprentice judge for the California Carvers Guild. The pieces entered in the state championship were all required to be former blue-ribbon winners in other contests, he said.

In the past, the state championship has been held in northern San Luis Obispo County, Devine said.

Devine said he hopes the state carving championship will remain in Santa Maria.

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“We chose Santa Maria because the time of year that this show happens, it is perfect for a state championship,” he said, adding that Santa Maria is also a convenient, central location for travelers coming from both up and down California.

Next to the state championship pieces was a display of the top awards-earning wooden art from throughout California in the Santa Maria Valley Carvers contest, as selected by judges from the California Carvers Guild.

Bob Otto, of Los Osos, took the honor of best in show at the Santa Maria Valley Carvers contest with his pair of pelicans, and also won second place for best in show with his depiction of swimming fish.

“He’s a consistent winner around here,” said Gary Gresham, chairman of Artistry in Wood.

Gresham added that there were some “really outstanding pieces this year.”

When judging carved wood, he said, he first looks at composition.

“Does it hold my interest?” Gresham said, adding he also considers whether he would put the art on his mantle.

In designs of people and animals, anatomical correctness is important.

Atascadero resident Warren Bebout, who was wearing a red vest covered in California-shaped pins indicating his different awards in wood carving competitions, said he has come to every Santa Maria Valley Carvers show. He did not have an entry in this weekend’s competitions.

“This is a very good show,” Bebout said, adding that there was a lot of room for the event, it was held in a “neat facility” and was in a good location for those traveling from out of the area.

November 2, 2008