For questions about refunds or rollover payment status for 2020 education conference payments please contact wardevents@salisbury.edu or call 410-742-4988 ext. 106 or ext. 123.
Links to sign up for classes will be available in January of 2022.
2022 Classes
Monday through Sunday
Learn from World Champion and professional carvers at the 2022 Educational Conference. A full menu of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-day classes will be offered by the Education Department in conjunction with the Ward World Championship. Classes occur prior to the competition in various locations throughout Ocean City, MD, starting Monday and continuing through Sunday.
Pre-registration is required for all classes on a first-come, first-served basis. Payments are due by Tuesday, March 1, 2022, and can be paid online, through the mail, over the phone, or in-person at the Ward Museum, 909 S. Schumaker Dr., Salisbury, MD 21804. Those who rolled over their class payments from 2020 are still enrolled in their class. Those who were refunded payments are not enrolled in any class.
3-Day Classes (Tuesday 4/19/22 to Thursday 4/21/22)
$400 non-members; $350 members
Al Jordan – Carve and Paint a Red-tailed Hawk Head
9:00 am to 5:00 pm at The Grand Hotel and Spa
Carve, texture, and paint a red-tailed hawk head with master carver and falconer Al Jordan.
Carving a Human Bust with Vic Hood
9:00 am to 5:00 pm at The Grand Hotel and Spa
Create your own piece of art with Vic Hood. Emphasis on design, creativity, and technical execution. This is not a portraiture class.
The Smoker Brother: Rich & Ross Smoker – Carve and Paint a Ward Style Goose
9:00 am to 5:00 pm at The Princess Bayside Hotel
Beginner-advanced, micro-motor, or hand tool carving. Join Rich and Ross Smoker to carve, paint, and finish a classic Ward Brothers-style goose.
Paint a Harlequin Drake with Glenn McMurdo
9:00 am to 5:00 pm at TBD
Beginner-advanced. Using brushes and acrylic paints on a cast from an original carving by Glenn McMurdo, master the intricacies of this unmistakable bird. Learn color theory, how to add and blend colors, and how to paint final detail, as well as the how and why of paint and paintbrushes.
2-Day Classes (Wednesday 4/20/22 to Thursday 4/21/22)
$325 non-members; $275 members
Pat Godin – Painting Feathers
9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center
Pat Godin will lead and instruct the students through the painting of various styles of feathers found frequently on birds. This will include the painting of iridescence (Wood Duck Drake), complex patterns (Mallard Hen), and vermiculation. Through the two days, 3 or 4 projects will be worked on. The painting will be accomplished on gessoed boards supplied by Pat. In addition to the painting methods, three-dimensional painting techniques will also be taught. Students will be required to bring their own paints, brushes, airbrush and compressor, palettes, and other supplies and materials.
Laurie & Mike Truehart – Project Advancement
9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center
Join Laurie and Mike Truehart for a class in project advancement. Bring a current project you are working on and get tips, techniques, and advice on it. This class is open to all skill levels and all carving subjects (birds, animals, objects, etc.) Please note that this will be offered as a one-day (please see 1-day pricing below if you are signing up for only one day) or a two-day course with participants able to take the day of their choosing. Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools and materials. Tools can be provided for those who travel and will be unable to bring their own. At least one month before the class please ensure the instructors knows what piece you intend to bring so they can be prepared to help to the fullest extent.
1-Day Classes (Thursday 4/21/21)
$200 non-members; $175 members
Josh Guge – Painting a Golden-Crowned Kinglet
Thursday, April 21st, 9:00 – 5:00 pm at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center
Painting is always the most difficult aspect of the bird sculpting process. Josh will teach you how to conquer these challenges in a one-day paint class. He will cover all aspects of painting including:
- Using thin washes to create depth in base coats
- How to utilize texture to benefit your painting results
- The right brushes and techniques for adding detail to your birds
These techniques help Josh create a soft and realistic look that has gained him a reputation for award-winning art. Josh will provide a study cast or students can bring in their own wood-carved golden-crowned kinglet. Students must ensure it’s sealed and ready to paint. Paints will be provided by the instructor. ( This class is now full. )
1-Day Classes (Friday 4/22/21)
$100 non-members; $75 members
Nancy Richards West – Color Mixing Friday, April 22nd, 1:00 – 4:30 pm at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center
Accomplished professional artist Nancy Richards West will be leading a four-hour class on color blending for a variety of situations and lighting.
1-Day Classes (Sunday 4/24/21)
$100 non-members; $80 members
Ross Smoker: Carving for Beginners
Sunday, April 24th, 10:00 – 2:00 pm at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center
Ross Smoker leads a class in basic carving techniques to create a miniature songbird. Participants will finish the class with an unpainted shorebird. Tools and materials provided.
Education Conference Pass
This pass will admit the bearer into all lectures, plus one workshop and one panel of their choice. Additional workshops and panels may be purchased for the normal fee. Passes will be available online and at the show for $27 for members and $30 for non-members.
Lectures
Friday – Sunday – $3 Member; $4 Non-Member.
Signature lectures presented at the Ocean City Convention Center are presentations with visual aids and amplification for educational lectures from leading artists and carvers at the competition. Attending a lecture is a great way to enhance your visit to the Ward World Championship. Learn techniques to create award-winning carvings from champion and professional carvers. Youth ages 17 and under receive FREE admission to lectures.
Technique Workshops
Friday – Sunday – $18 Presale, $22 Member and $25 Non-Member at the Show
To be announced.
Panels
Friday – Sunday – $6 Member; $8 Non-Member.
To be announced.
SEMINAR SCHEDULE
To be announced.
KIDS CORNER
Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.– 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Children of all ages can enjoy Kid’s Corner. Plan to visit Kid’s Corner for arts and crafts designed to stimulate curiosity and participation in the arts. Featured activities include painting miniature decoys, soap carving, and carving using child-safe tools. Carve and Paint a Youth Silhouette & more!
Pre-registration is required for all classes. Payments are due by March 1, 2022.
Please Note: Conference pricing does not include admission into the competition hall or admission to the Ward Museum. Pre-registration is required for all classes, workshops, and lectures. All classes are subject to cancellation before April 1, 2020. Adult and Youth lectures are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Workshop and lecture balances are due at registration. Member prices are for current Ward Museum Members only. Youth under the age of 18 receive FREE admission to lectures and workshops. Lectures and workshops are subject to cancellation without notification. Refunds honored in full upon administrative cancellation of classes/lectures/workshops.