39th Annual Woodcarver’s Show & Sale Winners Announced

Bysaudervillage
Wood Crafters

Archbold, OH — Sauder Village recently hosted the 39th annual Woodcarver’s Show and Sale, welcoming talented wood artists from across the region for a weekend celebrating the art and tradition of wood craftsmanship. The event, held at Founder’s Hall on Oct. 24-25, showcased a range of hand-created works, including waterfowl, wildlife, turned bowls, inlaid boxes, walking sticks, chip and relief carving wall art, fantasy pieces, and folk art. Thirty-five artisans and vendors showcasing a variety of wood art techniques including wood turning, woodcarving, and woodworking were represented.

This year’s show recognized outstanding achievements in a variety of categories, honoring excellence in both artistry and craftsmanship. Sauder Village is pleased to announce the 2025 award winners:

  • Sauder Award/Best of Show (First Place): Babe Middleton
  • Best of Show (Second Place): Roger Strautman
  • Best of Show (Third Place): Jim Brace
  • Merit Award – Woodturning: Ted Fisher
  • Merit Award – Woodworking: Will Hinton
  • Merit Award – Woodcarving: Ron Vance
  • Awards of Excellence: Tom & Desiree Gilbert, Jon Harwood, and Ralph Cooper

Winners shared in $3,000 of prize money. Best of Show winners also received handcrafted prizes made by Sauder Village artisans, including a glass pumpkin on a wooden base for first place and ceramic plates for second and third. Winners were selected by judges Sandy Czajka, Bruce Henn, and Robert Stadtlander, last year’s Best of Show award winners. Sauder Village extends its congratulations to all the winners and participants who made the 39th Woodcarver’s Show a success.

First held nearly four decades ago, the Woodcarver’s Show and Sale is one of the Midwest’s premier gatherings for wood artists and enthusiasts alike. Guests enjoyed opportunities to meet the artists and the chance to purchase unique, handcrafted pieces. Erie J. Sauder, founder of Sauder Village, was a passionate woodworker and founder of Sauder Woodworking Company. This event honors his legacy.

“This year’s show was an amazing showcase of some of the best wood artists in this region,” said Andi Erbskorn, Director of Marketing and Development at Sauder Village. “We are so honored to welcome so many acclaimed artisans to our show each year. The Woodcarver’s Show has been a highlight of the Sauder Village calendar for nearly 40 years and we are looking forward to celebrating our 40th year in 2026.”

The 40th annual event – coinciding with Sauder Village’s 50th anniversary – will take place Oct. 23-24, 2026, promising more opportunities for creativity, community, and celebration of the wood arts.

If you are interested in participating in the 2026 show, email Sauder Village at [email protected].