Spring Wings: Popular workshop being offered

Spring Wings Festival is May 16 and a popular workshop is once again being offered to the public — carving a decorative shorebird “decoy.”

The workshop is led by the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association whose members are more artists than hunters these days.

Bob Joseph, Fallon resident and current president of the PFDA, said “Decoy carving is an original American art form beginning with waterfowl hunting decoys in the early 1900s. However, what started out as being functional for sport has evolved to include all North American birds such as waders, shore, raptors and songbirds. The carvings have elevated to an artistic level where the bird appears alive.”

Joseph stated his group hosts workshops in California, but the only one in Nevada is at Spring Wings. PFDA also puts on an annual Wildlife Art Festival competition in July in Sacramento, and those who carve at Spring Wings are eligible to enter in the Bench Class category at no charge, no matter the skill level.

The festival offers the public a chance to learn about and carve their own version of a local favorite, the Greater Yellowlegs, as well as learn about the history of decoy carving at a special free seminar at 11 a.m. May 16 in the Churchill County Parks and Recreation multi-purpose building on Sheckler Road.

The PFDA artists provide personal instruction and all materials to complete their carving during the workshop, which runs from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Seats are limited, register now at www.springwings.org before May 16.