The Louisiana Wildfowl Carvers & Collectors Guild is a non profit organization dedicated not only to the preservation of Louisiana Wetlands, but the tradition of Decoy Carving, which is part of the culture of Southern Louisiana.  Decoy Carving is one of the first truly American Art forms & Louisiana has always been at the forefront of this tradition.

 

Also please see the just released LWCCG article in New Orleans Living Magazine by clicking HERE!

 

Modern Decoys.
Modern decoy carving began approximately 50 years ago when carvers and collectors realized that their creations served more than a utilitarian purpose; but were true works of art.  This began not only the desire to create more life like carvings, but to see who was best.  Again, Louisiana was at the fore front with early innovators like Jimmy Vizzier, Tan Burnett, Charles & Ruddy Hutchison and many more.

EThe LWCCG now almost 40 years old was the second show in the country dedicated to this art form.  There are more World Champion and Master Carvers from Louisiana than any other state.

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana and almost brought this organization to an end.  Approximately three fourths of the officers and board members lost their homes and belongings to Katrina, many of whom moved out of State. While Katrina had taken our homes and property, we were not willing to let it take our culture.  After three years, we realize that this organization and the Louisiana Culture which it supports is too important to let fail.  While it has been a difficult struggle to re-organize, things are finally falling into place

The LWCCG will hold it’s 33rd show and competition at the Castine Center located in Pelican Park in Mandeville, Louisiana. Hundreds of Carvers from around the world will be competing for over  $40,000 in prize money.   Competition will include almost every imaginable carving category; including decoys, fish, interpretive art, caricatures, wildlife, etc.  This show, (our second since Katrina) has added a new category dedicated to Louisiana antique carvings and future shows will place an even greater emphasis on the “Louisiana Antique decoy”.