CAMPBELL RIVER, BC – Expect a flurry of activity along Highway 19A in Willow Point this week.
This time, it’s not all construction work. The “Transformations on the Shore” is on again.
The Campbell River Shoreline Arts Society is hosting the carving competition for the 23rd year. The society’s president Don Daniels says they keep the number of carvers to 22-25.
But representation is becoming bigger.
He says a majority of the carvers are from Campbell River, but more and more of them are coming from different cities on the island, the mainland, and even internationally.
“This year, we have a new carver from Alberta. Already we’re making plans for next year – we have carvers registered from Texas. Each and every year, the carvers come from all around the country,” Daniels says.
Daniels says this year is special because one carver dropped out of the competition. He says Junior Henderson wanted to work instead on a tribute carving dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“He (wanted) to focus on the (tribute) carving that he’s going to do for us this year. Then we’re going to put it on display.”
Daniels says they hope to have Henderson’s tribute carving at Spirit Square, but they aren’t sure yet if that’s feasible.
He adds Henderson will be carving with the rest of the others throughout the week.
The competition will wrap up on Sunday afternoon. After the competition, residents can see the carvings along Campbell River’s Sea Walk, while some of the carvings will go to the competition’s sponsors.
For more information on the Campbell River Shoreline Arts Society, visit their website.
