About
THE MASTER'S CARVING SCHOOL AND ART CLUB FOUNDED BY JAMES PLOEGMAN IN 1976 WITH OVER 60 YEARS OF CARVING EXPERIENCE
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Founder - James "Jim" Ploegman
Jim started carving in 1953, while enrolled in high school. His early works included "Tired Wolf" and wall murals for Virginia Mason hospital in Seattle, WA. In 1962, for The World's Fair, Jim made carvings for all the officials. He also started his full-time wood carving business and started displaying his works of art at local Art Shows. In 1969, Jim started the Arts & Crafts Program for the Quinalt Indian Nation in Taholah, Wa. where he spent two years living on the ocean and teaching Northwest Coast Indian art, totem carving, and canoe building (carving). In the 1970-71 school year, Jim began teaching Northwest Coast Indian Art wood carving at Highline, Green River and Bellevue Community Colleges. He was sought out by the President of Highline Community College, Dr. Shirley Gordon, to commit to Highline. She wanted him to teach wood and stone carving and sculpture.
In 1976, Jim had the opportunity to open his own school, "The Master's Carving School", which quickly grew to 79 students. He continued to display at Art Shows, malls, and fairs throughout the Northwest. He not only displayed his work, he displayed the works of many students.
He was commissioned to do several hundreds of projects; including Totem Poles at the Quinalt Indian Nation high school and a shopping mall in Renton, Wa., four
6' x12' plaques for a customer in Alaska, reproductions of antiques, coats of arms, Northwest Coast Indian masks, other wood sculptures and stone sculptures.
Jim Ploegman
Owner / Instructor
I started carving in 1964, when I was 4 years old. I decided to help my dad carve a coffee table with a screw driver. Doesn’t that count?
Actually, my first real carving project was an owl when I was 8 years old. I continued carving for fun, making canoes to float down the creek, hydroplanes, candlesticks, even pumpkin art. I won 1st place in a pumpkin carving contest when I was 13. I continued carving with my dad, the founder of “The Master’s Carving School”, on several of his projects, which included a 22’ Totem Pole we made in 1975, four 4’ x 10’ to 4’ x 14’ panels we made and shipped to Anchorage Alaska in 1981 and 2 Orca Whales about 4-5’ in length for Bowen Scarf Ford. He also taught me how to glue boards, and cut out projects for his students. In 2010, I helped my dad refurbish the totem pole we made in 1975, after it was stolen and then recovered. This Totem Pole is currently standing again at Fred Meyers entrance in downtown Renton.
My carving talent is mainly on flat panels. This is why I had my own business for several years making signs on consignment.
My dad, James “Big Jim” Ploegman, is well known in the Pacific Northwest and Canada as a very talented “Master Carver” and instructor.
Guy Harper, one of my dad’s oldest students, taught me how to do Bentwood boxes about 6 years ago. I’ve bent over 200 boxes perfecting my technique. I’m currently working on building a new steamer and will be offering classes.
I am working hard with Shannon Finch and Guy Harper to keep his legacy and school going, and also to keep the beautiful art of woodcarving alive.
Shannon Finch Instructor I have always been involved in the arts in one form or another. My passion for crafting, sculpting,painting and carving started as a young child. I began crafting Regalia for family and friends over 25 years ago. I was blessed to have a pair of wonderful teachers from the Blackfeet Nation, affectionately named "Ma and Pa". From them I learned so much more than beading and leather working. I also further gained knowledge about my heritage, ceremonies and spirituality. All of which has helped shape my life to what it is today.
I began carving approximately 20 years ago. I had been self teaching myself for a few years. Creating panels, fish and other "rustic" cabin and yard art. Fate pointed me to a booth at Renton River Days. I signed up for classes with Master Carver Joe McConnell. I was now hopelessly hooked on carving and wanted to learn more! The following year I was able to attend classes with the late Master Carver Jim Ploegman Sr. Throughout the years under his teachings, I gained knowledge of the fundamentals of the Northwest Coastal art style and the aspects of Form Line and how to transfer that knowledge and carving skills to wood. I feel blessed to have known him not just as a teacher, but as a dear friend.
In the years following Jim's untimely passing, his son Jim, Master Carver Cecily Bishop, my husband Harold (Buddy) and I carried on working to keep the school running. I continued to take lessons from Cecily to further my skills as s Carver and artist.
My carvings and art created with other mediums are often a reflection of my roots in my Native heritage. I very much enjoy blending Northwest Coastal art style with my Regalia. This is my way of making a connection between the Tribal Nations that have such a distinct difference in art form.
I have been very busy over the past years carving Northwest Coastal Masks, Plaques, Rattles and figurines. I have entered several juried woodcarving shows nationally recognized by woodcarving associations, and have won many awards and ribbons. In 2016, I won "Best of Division " for a fourth time which earned me the title "Expert Woodcarver". I always have several projects in the works. I find that having several projects going helps keep the creativity moving forward.
I am very passionate about getting people involved with woodcarving and crafting. I feel it is a way of finding a connection and challenging one's creative potential. I hope to pass on the skills, insights and joy of carving that I have attained from the combined teachings and experiences from Master Carvers, Joe McConnell, Jim Ploegman Sr. and Cecily Bishop.
