Competition Registration and Rules

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2026 CCA National Competition Rules and Categories
All carvings must be caricature

To be held in conjunction with the Wisconsin River Woodcarvers Show,

September 19 & 20, 2026
in Stevens Point, WI

General Rules

1. Caricature Carvers of America and their family members are NOT eligible to participate in the competition.
2. Entry fee is $25 for up to 5 entries and $5 for each additional entry.
3. Entries must be hand-carved wood.
4. Entries must be the original and exclusive work of the artist, based on the artist’s own, original idea. The Rough-out Category is an exception because it acknowledges the work is the design of someone other than the entrant. Any use of computer assistance software or CNC machinery to create carving is not allowed.
5. Entries must have been carved (completed) in the last 2 years.
6. Carvings entered in previous CCA National Carving Competition may not be entered again.
7. There is no limit on the number of carvings that may be entered in any category.
8. Originality and creativity are stressed in this competition. Show officials and/or judges may disqualify any entry they recognize as derived from another person’s idea, entries recognized as coming from a duplicated blank (provided the entry is not entered in Category 17) or carvings produced with the assistance of an instructor.
9. Single Figures may have an item or items in their hand or attachments to or carved on the base (inanimate objects only). Any animal category subject (living or dead), no matter how small, included with the single human figure will qualify that carving as Group Carving – Mixed, whether subject is in hand or attached to base. Carvings entered in the Group Carving – Mixed category must contain mixed subjects from 2 or more categories.
10. Ribbons will be awarded for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd places in each category, subject to the number of entries.
11. Best-of-Show carvings will be selected from the ribbon winners in categories 1-16.
12. Carvings must be checked in in person at the specified time. Entrants can either check them in personally or make arrangements to have someone else check them in.
13. Carvings fitting a specific category must be entered into that category. The CCA reserves the right to move any entry to the most appropriate category.
14. Entries mounted on a base should be permanently affixed to the base. Entries with loose pieces which could fall off during handling will not be accepted or judged.
15. The judges’ determinations are final and are not subject to change.
16. The Caricature Carvers of America cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage resulting from conditions beyond their control.
17. The CCA reserves the right to disqualify any carving which is considered inappropriate for family viewing.

Each carving may only be entered in one category.

1. 1. Single Human Figure Under 10″: Single figure carved in the round. Includes full-bodied human figure and mythical human figures (except Santas) measuring under 10 inches. Measurements are for the figure only, determined by the distance from the bottom of the foot, shoe or boot to the top of the head, hair or hat. A seated or bent figure will be measured with a flexible rule. Any finish. (For clarification, see Rule # 9)
   2. Single Human Figure 10” and Over: Single figure carved in the round. Includes fullbodied human figure and mythical human figures (except Santas) measuring 10 inches or over. Measurements are for the figure only, determined by the distance from the bottom of the foot, shoe or boot to the top of the head, hair or hat. A seated or bent figure will be measured with a flexible rule. Any finish. (For clarification, see Rule # 9)
   3. Group Human: Any group of 2 or more human category subjects permanently affixed to a common base. Any finish. (For clarification, see Rule # 9)
   4. Single Animal: Single animal figures carved in the round. Includes birds, fish, aquatic life, insects, mammals, snakes, lizards, herbivores, carnivores, dinosaurs, mythical animal, etc. Any finish.
   5. Group Animal: Any group of 2 or more animal category subjects permanently affixed to a common base. Any finish. (For clarification, see Rule # 9)
   6. Group Mixed: Any combination of 2 or more mixed subjects permanently affixed to a common base. Any Finish. (For clarification, see Rule # 9)
   7. Santa: Any full-bodied Santa figure in the round or relief. Includes single figure or groups with a predominant Santa theme. Any finish. Santa Busts must be entered in the Bust category.
   8. Relief: Shallow or deep relief, any subject. Any finish.
   9. Miniature: Any subject. Must fit completely within a 2-inch cube, including base. Any finish.
   10. Bottle stopper: Any caricature bust or figure designed specifically to be used as a bottle stopper. Must be permanently affixed to a cork, capable of being displayed on a bottle. (Don’t send a bottle.) Any finish.
   11. Bust: Single figure bust. A visually accurate carving in the round that depicts a head, shoulders, and upper chest, fully carved in the round. Any finish.
   12. Miscellaneous: Includes staffs and canes, jewelry, flora, abstract, ornamental, carousel, masks, and other elements not included in any other categories. Any finish.
   13. Christmas Ornament: Any caricature bust or figure designed specifically to be used as a Christmas tree ornament. Must be able to hang on a tree. (Don’t send tree.) Any Finish
   14. Ugly Cowboy: He looks like his face lost a fight with tumbleweed and the tumbleweed won. Carve your ugliest cowboy in caricature style. The nastier the better.
   15. Youth: Open to any Carver 16 years of age or younger. No carver assisted pieces, must be caricature. Any subject, any motif, any size.
   16. Themed: Cheeseheads & Characters: Carve your best Wisconsinite, from the proud Packers fan in a wedge hat, to a dairy farmer guarding his prized cheese wheel of cheddar, and much more. Make it Wisconsin and make it funny.
   17. 17 Rough-out: Any subject, single or group, carved from a commercial rough-out which is not the original design of the carver. Must be completely carved by submitting carver. Any finish.

Prizes
Best-of-Show $400
Second Best-of-Show $300
Third Best-of-Show $200
Individual Category $75 first place, $50 second place, $25 third place
Cheese Heads & Characters Category $250

Carvings can be entered from 2 PM to 4:30 PM on Friday, September 18, 2026, or 8 AM to 9 AM on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Carvings must be checked in no later than 9:00 AM on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Judging will begin promptly at 9 AM on September 19. Carvings that arrive after that time can be checked in as exhibition only. A completed application and payment must accompany the entry.

The results of the competition will be submitted to the national woodcarving publications and be posted on the web at www.cca-carvers.org

Judging Criteria

1. Originality and Creativity: Exceptional or unusual interpretation of subject matter, based on the artist’s original idea. Entries must be the exclusive work of the submitting artist.
2. Carving Execution: good carving techniques, properly fitted additions or laminations, cleanliness of finished work.
3. Degree of Difficulty: Complexity and difficulty of execution. (i.e; is the carving assembled or carved from one piece, does the subject matter show action, what level of detail is represented?)
4. Final Presentation: Artistry and visual impact of the overall carving. (includes finish and the interaction of the mounting in the overall presentation of the subject matter)