Finding community in carving

By Eva Westein

Contributing Writer

GREEN BAY – A local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) group is building a community through the art of carving.

The ADRC is a means for older adults, adults with disabilities and their caregivers to enrich their lives and feel empowered.

One way that the ADRC can provide this support is by hosting a wide variety of events, workshops and meetings for its members.

One group that has been consistently meeting at the ADRC for many years is the woodcarving group. Although membership levels have fluctuated throughout the years, they continue to meet in an ADRC activity room from 8-11 a.m. each Tuesday.

Sitting at tables arranged in one large circle with tools spread out in front of them, members of the woodcarving group spend their meetings fostering conversation, teaching or learning new skills and of course, turning blocks of wood into pieces of art.

The woodworking group at the ADRC is an informal organization that is merely a way for people who share a passion for carving to gather together, so there are no formal roles. It is a relaxed and casual learning environment.

“A couple of us in there, we’ll take somebody aside and help them as more of a one-on-one kind of thing… so I’m kind of given a leadership role because I’ve been carving, maybe not the longest time, but I’m one of the most advanced carvers in the group,” explained group member Dan Hemminger.

The connection within the group is evident from the way that they teach and learn from each other. Different members of the group consider themselves experts in different carving styles and techniques. They share this knowledge by helping each other learn, not only through verbal instruction or demonstration but also by replicating each other’s creations.

Hemminger has been carving for over 20 years. When he first started, Dan was a member of another group through the Northeast Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild.

When he was taking a carving class at Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College, he met another carver who invited him to start the craft at the ADRC as well.

Since the group at the ADRC meets in the mornings, he wasn’t able to make the meetings until after he retired.

Now, Hemminger carves with both groups.

“It’s just fun to get together there with people that are doing the same kinds of things, even though we carve differently, carving is basically all the same, but with technique differences,” said Hemminger.

One of Dan’s favorite things about the woodcarving group at the ADRC is the community that it has brought him.

“A lot of times hardly any carving gets done. Just jabbering back and forth, solving the problems of the world,” he said.

For those interested in trying woodcarving, “Just try it… you can do anything if you put your mind to it and practice,” Dan advised.

Although there aren’t any formal carving lessons, the woodcarving group at the ADRC is open to anyone who is interested, and beginners will receive plenty of enthusiastic guidance from the more seasoned members. 

For more information, contact the ADRC of Brown County at 920-448-4300.