Ervey P. Shelley 918 South Dellwood Street Cambridge MN 55008-2123 (612) 689-3038 Work Samples Images (select to enlarge):

Ervey P. Shelley Norwegian, Swedish woodcarving Ervey enjoys sharing his woodcarving skills, which he learned through several classes in woodcarving through the Norwegian-American Museum at Decorah, Iowa, over the past 25 years. There he was instructed by teachers from Norway and America. He has demonstrated woodcarving in the Minneapolis Public School system, at the New Ulm Heritage Fest, Saint Paul's Festival of Nations, Murphy's Landing (Shakopee), the Kanabec County History Center and at Minot, North Dakota, for Høstfest. He also taught at the week-long Villa Maria Minnesota Woodcarvers retreat near Red Wing. Available: Most days of the week; usually no mileage restrictions, but appreciate compensation if more than 50 miles Space: 8 by 10 ft. with tables and good lighting Fee: Negotiable

Additional Information:
Ervey has been involved with wood since childhood. Born in Hanska, Minnesota in 1926, Ervey watched his father construct wooden toys. His maternal grandfather was a carver. Ervey never lost his interest in wood, even through his study towards an agriculture degree from the University of Minnesota. Upon graduation, Ervey went to work as a carpenter in a cabinet shop. Later, he worked as a boiler operator in Redwood Falls. Later he served as a boiler and turbine operator in New Ulm, but beginning in 1965, carved wood when he wasn't at his job.
Ervey's first carving interests were small animals and birds. From that point, he continually expanded his range of skills, which today is encyclopedic. In the 1970's he made his first trip to Nordic Fest to study acanthus carving, a style dear to Ervey because it represents his Norwegian ethnic background. With advancing time, Ervey's Norwegian ethnic background has been a greater and greater force in motivating his carving. Ervey likes to create Norwegian bentwood boxes, as well as birch bark boxes. Ervey also make a Viking calendar stick. He also carves spoons, which are decorated with krolrosing, Norwegian decorative line carving. After study with Harley Refsal of Decorah, Iowa, Ervey began to execute another Norwegian style, flat plain carving. Ervey's favorite subjects include Norwegian farmers and farmers' wives, fishermen and woodcutters. Recently, Ervey completed a deep relief carving depicting the 23rd psalm, seen at the Lutheran Home in Madelia. Has work can be seen in eight churches. Ervey created the pulpit of the Unitarian Universalist church on 50th and Gerard in Minneapolis. Closer to home, Ervey carved plaques for Cambridge Lutheran church's former pastor. He carved a very detailed three-foot Viking ship for fellowship room of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Madelia. In the latter piece, the waves are carved of butternut, the hull is made of walnut, and the sail and shields are of basswood. His carving is deeply embedded in Norwegian tradition, and to Minnesota Norwegian people, his work serves to symbolize their shared heritage.
Ervey enjoys representing his Norwegian American culture, and so enjoys demonstrating his skills. He has been to Saint Paul's Festival of Nations seventeen years, and Minot, ND's Høstfest five times. Since his 1992 retirement, woodcarving has become a greater central focus for Ervey. In some cases, he works with his wife; carving figurines that decorative painter Gladys decorates.