Here are the bios on the judges who are participating at the 19th Annual Woodcarving Competition and Show. We will have more information
concerning the carving competition in the upcoming month.
Don McHugh Bio
Don McHugh is a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin and upon high school graduation enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
He served more than 20 years while advancing to the highest enlisted rank prior to receiving a line commission.
The second half of his naval career was in the submarine force and included teaching mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy.
After retiring from the naval service he returned to his Alma Mater, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. There, he joined the systems Analysis Department,
retired in 1994, and was subsequently designated Professor Emeritus.
A move relocated him to Hickory, NC in 1996. In 1999 he started carving, completed classes and workshops taught by
regional and nationally known carvers. A 2007 Regional Artist Project Grant supported study with World Champion Robert Guge.
He is a member of the National Wood Carvers Association, Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild, and a charter member, past secretary, and
past president of the Catawba Valley Woodcarvers Club, Hickory , NC.
Don prefers carving realistic three dimensional projects such as waterfowl, birds, aquatic and land animals, and
human figures. Lately some of his works are more stylized and more often projects are painted using an air brush.
Don participates in exhibitions and contests and has won numerous awards including Best of Novice,
Intermediate, Open and Professional and awards at the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition.
Special awards include International Wildfowl Carvers Association Decorative Carver of the Year 2006 and 2008.
His awards have elevated him to participation in the highest level of competition.
Mitchell Cartledge Bio
Mitchell resides in Morganton, NC with his wife Page. Mitchell works in the textile industry as a development manager for a company in South Carolina.
“I began carving in the early 1980s out of necessity. Carving was a frugal way to provide a gift for my sister”, Mitchell said.
Although he has not carved continuously since his first carving experience, a meeting with CCA member and author Tom Wolfe rekindled that desire to create in wood. Mitchell has since taken classes with a number of CCA members including Pete LeClair, Peter Ortel, Desiree Hajny, Gary Falin, and Harold Enlow.
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Memberships include The National Wood Carvers Association, Charlotte Wood Carvers Club, The Catawba Valley Wood Carvers Club, and the Artisans Guild of N.C. Mitchell’s caricature chess set was featured on the cover of the fall 2008 issue of Woodcarving Illustrated. Mitchell is also a moderator on the Woodcarving Illustrated message board; https://forum.woodcarvingillustrated.com.
For Mitchell, carving has provided more than an outlet for his creativity. Mitchell feels the biggest reward has been the friendships made with others that share his interest in the art of woodcarving. Mitchell enjoys mentoring others by building upon the student’s talents and interests.
Timothy C. “Trudge”
Trudgeon
Trudge started out as a caricature cartoonist and learned to carve as a young Cub Scout at his
grandfather’s knee. Over the years he has experimented with many forms of art, to include golf
ball and pumpkin carving. Trudge was the resident pumpkin carver at the NC State Fair for
many years as well as the Museum of Appalachia in Tennessee. He has taught wood carving in
many venues to include the Sawtooth School of Visual Art. A long time member of many
different carving clubs and holding various leadership roles, he now concentrates on the
NC Piedmont Woodcarvers and the Triad Woodcarver’s Club of which he is the founding
member. Trudge has been a judge at many carving shows and other art exhibitions. He
welcomes questions from competitors.