Steve Sanford
Well-known member
All - especially Carvers~
As explained below, Craig Kessler and I - through the Long Island Decoy Collectors Association - are trying to re-establish a venue for today's carvers that once was served by the old U S National show - which ended in 1994. We are starting simple - to see if there is interest and to see what works.
NOTE: The LIDCA website is now up-to-date and has downloadable ENTRY FORMS.
Go to: http://lidecoycollectors.org/lidca-contemporary-decoy-exhibition/
http://stevenjaysanford.com/lidca-contemporary-decoy-exhibition/
Alternatively - if you want to enter - just send me an e-mail or PM for the rules and forms: http://sjaysanford@gmail.com
I will send you the forms either electronically or in paper.
Here is the letter we are sending to carvers:
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]The [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Long Island Decoy Collectors Association[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] will be introducing a new feature at its 2016 Annual Show. The Show will continue to focus on antique decoys and other sporting collectibles, but t[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]he [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]CONTEMPORARY DECOY EXHIBITION[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] will provide a venue on Long Island for those decoys that will become the collectible antique decoys of the future. Like the former U. S. National Decoy Show – which closed its doors in 1994 - this event will offer a showcase on Long Island for carvers who continue to practice this uniquely American art form.[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]The [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]EXHIBITION[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] will strive for simplicity - for both the carvers and for the viewing public. Here is what we are trying in the first year: Just 2 classes of decoys will be displayed on tables and judging will be done by the public. There will be no tank-testing or professional judging. Novice and professional carvers will compete together. As a way of honoring and further displaying every carver's efforts and talents, each decoy will be photographed individually and posted on the LIDCA website for the following year.[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]The 2 classes will exhibit utilitarian and decorative decoys. The former will join the [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Al McCormick Gunning Class[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]of [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]simpler, more durable decoys – true hunting decoys. Al was "Mr. Decoy" for decades on Long Island and taught scores of gunners to make their own rigs. The [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Shang Wheeler Heritage Class[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]will show more elaborate and stylized decoys – "smoothies" with more detailed carving and painting from the most skilled and experienced hands.[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] Charles "Shang" Wheeler was recognized for his exceptional craftsmanship and artistic talents at the original National Decoy Show, here on Long Island, back in 1923. [/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]We hope you will participate – bringing birds in person or sending them by mail. And, we hope you will help us spread the word to other carvers. Please contact us directly with any questions.[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Thanks very much![/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Steve Sanford [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]sjaysanford@gmail.com[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Craig Kessler [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]ckesslerducks@gmail.com[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]In the first year, we are including just 5 traditional Long Island species:[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Black Duck[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Broadbill (Greater Scaup)
[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Brant[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Whistler (Common Goldeneye)[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Shelldrake (Red-breasted Merganser)[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Our 2 Classes include true gunners (McCormick Class) and fancy mantel-piece birds (Wheeler Class).[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Here are some Al McCormick Gunning Class birds:[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Here are some Shang Wheeler Heritage Class birds:[/font]
NOTE: I purposefully did NOT identify any of the carvers of the above birds - because the judging will be by the public at the February 27 Show - and - even though all of these birds were carved way back in the 20th Century - I did not want to taint the "jury pool".
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]I look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, let the chips fly.....
[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]All the best,[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]SJS http://sjaysanford@gmail.com[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]
[/font]
As explained below, Craig Kessler and I - through the Long Island Decoy Collectors Association - are trying to re-establish a venue for today's carvers that once was served by the old U S National show - which ended in 1994. We are starting simple - to see if there is interest and to see what works.
NOTE: The LIDCA website is now up-to-date and has downloadable ENTRY FORMS.
Go to: http://lidecoycollectors.org/lidca-contemporary-decoy-exhibition/
http://stevenjaysanford.com/lidca-contemporary-decoy-exhibition/
Alternatively - if you want to enter - just send me an e-mail or PM for the rules and forms: http://sjaysanford@gmail.com
I will send you the forms either electronically or in paper.
Here is the letter we are sending to carvers:
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]LONG ISLAND DECOY COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]NEW at 2016 ANNUAL SHOW ~ CONTEMPORARY DECOY EXHIBITION[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]9 am – 4 pm SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2016[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]IBEW Hall, 370 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY [/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Dear Carver~[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]The [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Long Island Decoy Collectors Association[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] will be introducing a new feature at its 2016 Annual Show. The Show will continue to focus on antique decoys and other sporting collectibles, but t[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]he [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]CONTEMPORARY DECOY EXHIBITION[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] will provide a venue on Long Island for those decoys that will become the collectible antique decoys of the future. Like the former U. S. National Decoy Show – which closed its doors in 1994 - this event will offer a showcase on Long Island for carvers who continue to practice this uniquely American art form.[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]The [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]EXHIBITION[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] will strive for simplicity - for both the carvers and for the viewing public. Here is what we are trying in the first year: Just 2 classes of decoys will be displayed on tables and judging will be done by the public. There will be no tank-testing or professional judging. Novice and professional carvers will compete together. As a way of honoring and further displaying every carver's efforts and talents, each decoy will be photographed individually and posted on the LIDCA website for the following year.[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]The 2 classes will exhibit utilitarian and decorative decoys. The former will join the [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Al McCormick Gunning Class[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]of [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]simpler, more durable decoys – true hunting decoys. Al was "Mr. Decoy" for decades on Long Island and taught scores of gunners to make their own rigs. The [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Shang Wheeler Heritage Class[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]will show more elaborate and stylized decoys – "smoothies" with more detailed carving and painting from the most skilled and experienced hands.[/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif] Charles "Shang" Wheeler was recognized for his exceptional craftsmanship and artistic talents at the original National Decoy Show, here on Long Island, back in 1923. [/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]We hope you will participate – bringing birds in person or sending them by mail. And, we hope you will help us spread the word to other carvers. Please contact us directly with any questions.[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Thanks very much![/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Steve Sanford [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]sjaysanford@gmail.com[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Craig Kessler [/font][font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]ckesslerducks@gmail.com[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]In the first year, we are including just 5 traditional Long Island species:[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Black Duck[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Broadbill (Greater Scaup)
[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Brant[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Whistler (Common Goldeneye)[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Shelldrake (Red-breasted Merganser)[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Our 2 Classes include true gunners (McCormick Class) and fancy mantel-piece birds (Wheeler Class).[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Here are some Al McCormick Gunning Class birds:[/font]


[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]Here are some Shang Wheeler Heritage Class birds:[/font]


NOTE: I purposefully did NOT identify any of the carvers of the above birds - because the judging will be by the public at the February 27 Show - and - even though all of these birds were carved way back in the 20th Century - I did not want to taint the "jury pool".
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]I look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, let the chips fly.....
[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]All the best,[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]SJS http://sjaysanford@gmail.com[/font]
[font=Linux Biolinum G, serif]
[/font]
Last edited: