Self-Taught Master Wood Carver Teaches Workshop at Vermilionville

Vermilionville is continuing to host monthly workshops that will allow you to learn crafts from master artisans. On the first Saturday of every month, Vermilionville will highlight a different craft from the old Acadian, Creole and Native American ways of life. Topics will range from woodcarving to textiles to foodways and many things in between.

On Saturday, April 4th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Vermilionville master artisan Cliff Mire will be teaching the tradition of wood carving. He will show participants how he pieces the different wood types together to make mirror patterns in his carvings, how to create spalted wood and how to carve a duck. Participants will leave with their own duck carving and chip carving knife at the end of class.

This workshop can accommodate 5 participants, and spots are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Cost is $50 per person and includes all equipment needed. Participants must be at least 17 years old and must pay in advance.

For more information or to register, contact Jolie Johnson at Vville@BayouVermilionDistrict.org or 337-233-4077, or visit Vermilionville’s website.

ABOUT THE ARTISAN

Cliff Mire is a self-taught wood carver who has been honing his skills for more than four decades. He got his start carving after his wife was unable to find the type of wooden jewelry she wanted. Beginning only with a pocket knife, a 4-sided rasp and sandpaper made from actual sand, Cliff quickly found he had a natural talent for wood carving. He since moved into carving wildlife and one-of-a-kind wooden mystery boxes sold in Vermilionville’s gift shop. Cliff works with all types of wood, but his favorite is cypress collected from the Atchafalaya. A process called spalting makes Cliff’s creations as visually appealing as they are functional. Cliff is extremely passionate about his work at Vermilionville and has carved every day for the last 41 years.

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