Our History

LWCCG now over 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 realized that this organization and the Louisiana Culture which it supports was 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 its 35th Festival 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: decoys, fish, interpretive art, caricatures, wildlife and a category dedicated to Louisiana Antique carvings.  In this year's Festival there are several new categories including Adult Wildfowl Fine Art and Photography, Boy Scouts Carving competition and a Wildfowl Fine Art category for school children. We will also continue to emphasize the importance of "Antique Decoys".