The Kaw Valley Woodcarvers Association (KVWA) is a non-profit organization was organized on November 11, 1979 by National Woodcarvers Association District representative Carlan Honaker.  Forty members attended.  The purpose of the Association is to promote woodcarving as an art form and to provide education opportunities for members and others interested in woodcarving.  Association meetings are held once a month on the second Sunday.  Each meeting includes a short business meeting followed by a program of interest to woodcarvers.  Currently 115 members make up the Association.

Annual Woodcarvers Show and Competition

In 1980, KVWA sponsored it’s first Annual Woodcarvers Show and Competition at the White Lakes Mall in Topeka.  There were 23 exhibitors.  The show continues to be held each year in Topeka and today approximately 80-100 exhibitors and vendors participate.

The show is held the week-end before Thanksgiving.  We have been told our show is one of the best in the Mid-West, thanks to the quality of art displayed and to our many exhibitors.

Community Activities

As a non profit community organization for the arts, KWVA participates in a number of community activities.  Most notably, For the past 40 years we have participated in the Sheltered Living fund raiser Festival of Trees.  Each year a theme is chosen by the members and individual patterns are designed.  All of the ornaments, including the base and tree topper are hand carved by the members.  The trees are then auctioned as part of the Sheltered Living Christmas fundraiser. To date the woodcarvers trees have raised over $50,000.00 for Sheltered Living in Topeka .  In 1986-87 KVWA volunteered to carve a miniature copy of each carousel horse to be restored on a  newly acquired Herschell-Spillman Carousel for Gage Park.  A total of 45 animals were carved, painted and presented to the individual who donated the funds to renovate that same horse.  About one year was devoted to this project.  Some of the club members still retain interest in the carousel and participate in the Friends of the Carousel organization.  In addition to the Gage Park project, several bears were carved to be sold to raise money to improve the black bear display at the park. 

KWVA members have spoken at schools, churches, and other organizations and periodically provide woodcarving classes or demonstrations at other community projects.

Educational meetings and seminars

Because education is an important part of the club activity, educational sessions are held each month, on Thursday and Saturday, following the monthly meeting, KWVA members and guests can participate in a free carve-out.  Here woodcarvers are able to hone their skills, learn more about carving through a planned carve out session or carve on their own project.  Generally 20 members take advantage of this opportunity.

KVWA also sponsors an annual woodcarving seminar at Baker University in June.  Here participants are able to learn from experienced wood carvers and select from a variety of woodcarving art forms including, relief, chip carving, woodburning, realistic figure carving, animal, bird and caricature carving projects.

Other Club activities

Each year the holds a picnic in June and a Christmas dinner in December.