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 East Petersburg, PA. Within 30 minutes after Bob Duncan, editor of Wood Carving Illustrated Magazine, issued an invitation through the magazine’s message board for carvers to contribute to a friendship cane that would be sold for disaster relief - the first carver – Colin Partridge - responded with “count me in.” Sixteen carvers were needed, each to carve a 2”x2”x3” block of wood drilled with a 5/8” hole. The blocks would be assembled into a “friendship cane” to be auctioned on E-bay with the funds going to the American Red Cross for disaster recovery.
Colin Partridge - well-known for the woodspirits he carves in live trees without hurting the tree - contributed two blocks for the friendship cane – each with a wizened look that reaches out with empathy and compassion for life touched by hardship. Other woodcarvers soon followed –Lora S. Irish, well-know artist and author of seven books including WoodSpirits and Green Men, sent an original “green men” carving – he peers through leaf eyebrows, beard and hair. Alifie Fishgap’s colorful block reflects the style and lore of Haida and Kwakiutl art.
Below the Monkey’s Paw carved by Roberg Squarebriggs, rests Santa Claus, carved by Nancy Goff. This classic symbol of goodwill and fellowship--recognizable by many different names across the world --is embellished by a patchwork toy bag, which symbolizes the many different people who came together to make this cane possible.
In fact, the entire concept of the friendship cane is an analogy for the relief efforts--people from across the world banded together to help out those afflicted by the hurricanes. And these carvers helped out in a way that only carvers can!
The friendship cane will be auctioned on EBay for 7 days, beginning Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 9 am (EST). To view the item, log onto EBay, click through crafts: woodworking: woodcarving. The item is labeled Friendship Cane sponsored by Wood Carving Illustrated Magazine.
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