When one thinks of noted woodcarvers in the Ozarks, several names come to mind including Junior Cobb, the Warren family, Dan Stewart or Gerry and Sheri Chisholm. But in July 1975, the Denton family of woodcarvers was featured in National Geographic magazine, bringing Ozark woodcarving to international attention. Ivan Denton was living in a cabin near Mountainburg, Arkansas carving primarily western-themed sculptures in order to make his living. The entire Denton family learned to carve from Ivan, including daughter Janet, who continues the family tradition to this day.
Janet Denton-Cordell is a gifted woodworker, known for two rather different styles of carving. Her elegant sculptures of women exhibit a fluidity of grace that is also echoed in her carvings of animals. But her other remarkable contribution to the world of woodcarving is her revival of the production of the jointed wooden doll. Popular from Victorian times, these dolls are especially evocative of a simpler time, when the fact that a wooden doll’s arms could bend at the elbows and knees provided endless fascination. Come learn to carve jointed wooden dolls or other figurines with Janet Denton-Cordell at the Arkansas Craft School July 5 – 8, 2011. Tuition is $525.00, and scholarships are available. Carving tools will be provided by the instructor, and beginners are welcome.
The Arkansas Craft School, located in Mountain View, Arkansas is dedicated to the education of aspiring and practicing craft artisans for success in the Creative Economy. The Craft School partners with Ozarka College which offers Continuing Education credits for all of its courses. Support for the Arkansas Craft School is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment of the Arts. Visit the Arkansas Craft School’s website, www.arkansascraftschool.org for more information on these and other upcoming classes; as well as information on scholarship applications. For further information, contact Executive Director, Terri Van Orman at (870) 269-8397; or email arkcraftschool@mvtel.net.
