Chainsaw carving competition winners announced
TAKAO HAYASHI'S "Lion King" was the winner of Masterpiece group at the 2019 Third Annual International Chainsaw Carving Championships in LIbby. (Photo courtesy Kootenai Country Montana)
STEVEN HIGGINS' "Daddy Time" that portrayed a backpacking bear placed third in the Masterpiece group at the 2019 Third Annual International Chainsaw Carving Championships in LIbby. Higgins was second in the People's Choice category and he was the 'King of the Auction' with the most money sold in the quick carve auctions. (Photo courtesy Kootenai Country Montana)
The winners of the 2019 International Chainsaw Carving Championship have been announced.
The Third Annual International Chainsaw Carving Competition, held in Libby, featured 22 of the best artists from around the world. The competition was held Sept. 12-15.
Competitors vied for $15,000 in prize money. They were competing for Peoples Choice, King of the Auction, and for 1st-3rd place in the Masterpiece Carve.
Masterpieces
1st place - Takao Hayashi with “Lion King”
2nd place - Dayton Scoggins with “Trapper and Canoe”
3rd place - Steven Higgins with “Daddy Time(backpacking bear)”
People’s Choice
1st place - Dayton Scoggins
2nd place - Steven Higgins
3rd place - Brandon Wilson “Yeti Cooler camping scene”
Steven Higgins also took ‘King of the Auction’ with most money sold in the quick carve auctions.
The event was hosted by Kootenai Country Montana, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting tourism and recreational development in Lincoln County.
Libby has a rich timber industry history, and this championship is a reflection of that heritage. The 2018 event was a finalist in the Montana Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Recreation for the cultural and heritage event of the year.
To keep updated, follow KCM’s Facebook at Kootenai Country Montana International Chainsaw Carving Championship, for further information email us at info@kootenaicountrymontana.com.
Here are the biographies of the winners:
- Takao Hiayashi has been chainsaw carving for 17 years. Takao very much enjoys carving animals, and his designs often incorporate many animals in one composition.
His attention to details, along with his themed designs are his signature. The main reason behind his designs are to make his work smile, as well as people when they look at it.
Takao was awarded first place in Japan chainsaw carving competitions in 2015-17.
He has also participated in several international competitions, such as Chetwynd; where he has also taken first place, most recently June 9.
- Steven Higgins is based in Missouri and is returning for the third year. Steven has consistently been the King of the Auction every year at our event as well as Grand Champion the first year. He has competed in many events all over the United States and has won many awards, including a sweep of the inaugural event here in Libby which is considered a Golden Broom Award in Carver World. Steven has over 20-plus years of carving experience.
- Dayton Scoggins is from Mississippi. Dayton has been carving professionally for 18 years. Dayton has won many awards all around the world. Dayton owns Artistry In Wood with his wife.
He enjoys doing custom work and competing in events in the U.S. and internationally.
- Brandon Wilson is from Vermont. Brandon, a first time competitor, started carving in 2012. He is a mixed media artist between carving, wood burning, log décor and metal design.