Frederick Dilworth, Master Carver

rederick Dilworth's wood carving started with an obsession for art expression.

In 1986 Fred stumbled across a gift from God with an extraordinary ability to draw and paint. For the next several years, painting satisfied the obsession, but he became frustrated with his oils and watercolors because he was after the three dimensional look.

While visiting an amusement park with his family, a life-changing event occurred. He was strolling through Knoebel’s Grove Amusement Park, when Fred and his family came across the carousel. There was a plaque on the wall that said, “these horses were carved out of wood by a turn of the century carver by the name of Carmel.” Fred turned to his wife and said,” I’ve got to do that”.

Early in his art career he was advised,” if you want to teach art, go to art school. But, if you want to be an artist, be an artist. Just do it.” So he spent $300 on some chisels and some books about how the carousel evolved. His first carving was a sign for his church. That just whetted his appetite and gave him the feel for the tools.

The next carving was a horse, an inside row stander. It just turned out - a new obsession. Through the restoration of the antique figures by Dentzel, E.J. Morris, Hershel Spellman, Stein Goldstein, Parker, and others, Fred carefully studied the how-to of the masters and honed his skills.

He was joined by his son, Dave, who also became a master carver. Copying of originals - design, assembly, and sizing- is just what they needed to be able to create the quality work they do today. Fred often tells his carving students when they are carving their first horse, "This is a study - it is not your masterpiece," and then he adds, “I haven’t done my masterpiece yet”

By 1993 Fred had developed a comfortable market and was carving and selling Carousel figures full-time - everything from miniatures to full size, from rounding boards to figurines.

Fred and Dave are both members of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman. They have developed a market on the east coast from Connecticut to Georgia. Over the past 11 plus years, they have sold over 200 pieces. There work has been shipped all across the country - from Ambassadors to the U.S. to clients at Martha’s Vineyard. They have even been selected to present a representation of American crafts to the White House.

You can read more about Frederick Dilworth's carvings at his web site.

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