Taking art to the extreme, chainsaw-style

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Story Published: Jun 13, 2008 at 3:40 PM PST

By Azenith Smith

REEDSPORT - Taking art to the extreme, world-class carvers start up their chainsaws in Reedsport for the return of an annual competition.

Fifty carvers from around the globe have descended onto Rainbow Plaza in Old Town this weekend for the 9th Annual Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Competition.

Sponsored by Echo Carving, the competitors are spending 25 hours creating their masterpieces to this year's theme of "Fish Tales," all to be judged on Sunday.

But, visitors can also get a chance to get some of their craftsmanship.

"We have a quick carve where the carvers take a block of wood and do carvings from start to finish in 75 minutes," says Joe Mirvis from the Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce. "That goes from 10:45 a.m. to Noon everyday. Then at 5:30 p.m. over in the auction tent, we have an auction where we auction them these 50 quick carves."

Complete with a vendor and craft fair, Mirvis adds, this competition uses coastal woods from sitka spruce, cedar and redwood, all supplied by several local mills.

To see the competition for yourself, the price is a dollar a day.

On Saturday night, there will be a 21 and over street dance with admission of $5. The awards ceremony is Sunday afternoon, and as part of the Echo Carving Series, the winner will have a chance to compete for the Echo Cup in Albuquerque New Mexico later this year.

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