Payson Roundup

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From Dead Wood to Lifelike Art

Rick Wiebe, a retired minister, but always a carver, has been changing just about any kind of wood that can be shaped into sclupted pieces of art. Wiebe and his wife Helen are members of a group called Mobile Missionary Assistance Program. MMAP is a not-for profit Christian organization whose work involves construction, renovation and/or remodeling of Christian churches, camps, rescue missions, and other non-profit activites. Recently MMAP members were doing work at Tonto Rim Christian Camp. The manager’s of the camp discovered his ability with wood and requested him to sclupt a greeter at the gate. The work is of a cowboy holding a skunk in his left hand and a removeable sign in the right hand that can be changed as activities rotate according to the camp’s schedule. Wiebe started carving as a young man. It was his father’s belief that men and boys should carry a pocket knife and know how to use it to make useful and decorative items that people liked and needed. He has published several booklets on carving and is always in demand to make, carve or whittle anything including; cane tops, walking sticks, santa clause, signs, rocking horses, ducks, yard ornaments and larger than life scluptures of real people. His work is in private collections throughout the world. Wiebe works with knives, grinding tools, wood chisels, chain saws and just about anything else that cn be used to transform wood to art. He has taught in public and private schools since 1987. He also teaches courses at recreation centers, seniors groups, Scouts/Cubs/Guides groups and camps. He maintains a website for ordering his booklets, tools and placing orders for commissions. The greeter took Wiebe a week and a half to chain saw, carve and finish. He has been known to carve a hummingbird from a 1/4 inch by six inch piece of wood in about ten minutes. For real. So drive on out to Tonto Rim Christian Camp just off of Highway 260 about twelve miles East of Payson. Look for the sign to the Fish Hatchery, on the left going east and on the right going west towards Payson. Thank you Rick for the wonderful lesson.