You seriously can’t miss this attraction at the main/ west gate entrance to The EX 2026! Stop by and watch the skilled carvers of “The Carving Crew” transform ordinary logs into incredible works of art right before your eyes. Chainsaw carving is a dynamic art form that merges the raw power of a chainsaw with the traditional craft of wood sculpting.
Feel the buzz, smell the fresh-cut wood, and witness creativity come to life in real time. Each piece is unique, making every demonstration a one-of-a-kind experience. Don’t miss this high-energy attraction that’s equal parts skill, speed, and spectacle!
If you see a piece on display or taking shape that you love, speak with the artist about making it yours!
Meet “The Carving Crew”!
Darcy Birnie
Follow Darcy on Instagram: @darcybirn
Darcy started his chainsaw carving craft in 2017. At that time, he did very little with the saw and more with paint to make his creations come to life. As he progressed, he started to attend different shows around Manitoba, like the Festival du Voyager and the 4P Festival, which helped to accelerated his carving skills. As his skills improved, he began participating in a number of different shows in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. As he continues to grow and develop, he finds it rewarding to see new individuals entering the field, offering fresh perspectives and suggestions, knowing that these exchanges may support their growth, too. Darcy is looking forward to participating in The EX, and seeing all the people that attend and support this art!
Collin Diachun
Follow Collin on Instagram: @timbercraftcarvings
Collin started carving in 2024 after taking a bear carving class with his now-fellow carver, Ernie Reimer, and has never looked back. He quickly developed his talent and is fearless in tackling new ideas. He believes each piece of wood tells a story, and he loves bringing it to life.
Stephanie Penner
Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @pinecone_chainsaw_carvings
Stephanie is an adventurous, outdoors enthusiast, with the love of wildlife. She lives in Ste. Anne, Manitoba, but tries to spend as much time as possible at her lake cabin in Ontario; relaxing, fishing, quad/ snowmobiling, exploring every square inch of the peaceful, beautiful lake country. She’s always loved the sense of accomplishment of working with her hands; from residential construction, carpentry, house renovations to leatherwork. She’s always had a creative artistic side which brought her to getting a diploma in graphic design and working many years in administration, but the need to create with her own hands and pushing herself to tackle new projects drew her to chainsaw carving. In September 2023, she decided to pick up a saw and hack into a log and see what she could create. Two and a half years later she’s still hacking into logs and blessed to find something she’s so passionate about. Turning discarded, ugly logs into beautiful wood sculptures thrills her!
Ernie Reimer
Follow Ernie:
windydaywoodworks.com
FB: @windydaywoodworks
IG: @windydaywoodworks
Ernie is no stranger to wood, having worked in the logging industry since 2004. As the owner of Tyndall Firewood Supply, he has developed a deep appreciation for the natural beauty in every piece of wood.
In 2017, Ernie attended a chainsaw carving workshop and has been carving ever since. Challenging himself to bring out the details as far as a chainsaw allows. Ernie is especially drawn to the natural grain of wood and prefers to enhance his work with burning and oils.
Fred Thomas
Follow Fred on Instagram:
@fredthomascarving
A hand carver for many years, Fred picked up the chainsaw in 2017 and started bringing logs to life with his cute bears, wise faces and screaming eagles. Take a walk across the foot bridge from Bridge Drive Inn in Winnipeg and you will see a giant carving of Fred’s, (Dancing Golden Bear) just off Kingston Crescent, commissioned by the neighbourhood.
Sponsors for “The Carving Crew” at The EX!
