W.F. (Bill) Judt has been carving for over 30 years, starting with an adult night school course offered by the Winnipeg School Board in 1975. Mostly self-taught, he carved for twenty years in the relative isolation of northern Alberta. Because of the isolation his style of carving is quite different from that of carvers elsewhere. He specializes in relief carving (carving pictures in flat panels) which he executes in panels that are 2’’ thick or less. Most of his carvings are undertaken on a commission basis, and are purchased by private families, businesses, corporations, and the like. Biblical themes are his favorite. One recent project was to carve the Stations of the Cross
Bill currently resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he maintains a lively teaching studio, writes carving books and works on commission pieces. Two weeks of intensive workshops are available at his studio in late May and early June.
Bill maintains a large website where visitors are greeted with dozens of images of carvings completed in his studio over the years. The following link takes you to his Carving Albums
Bill Judt has been teaching relief carving for 26 years, starting with a single class of six students and moving to three classes of seven students each week. Regular weekday classes are now a permanent offering in Bill’s studio from September through June each year. Because of the wide experience of their instructor, Bill’s students are able to take on projects much more challenging than one might expect, even at the beginner levels. Advanced carvers enjoy the opportunity to engage in large and challenging projects in collaboration with the instructor and other students. As carvers gain experience much of the work involved in their projects can be done at home, allowing for more rapid completion of projects and accumulation of carving skills.
Of primary importance are the following studio principles:
- Students will be taught every aspect of relief carving, from design to finishing, as quickly as they can learn.
- The studio teaching environment will always be positive, friendly and comfortable, with lots of encouragement, camaraderie and good humor.
- Students will be encouraged and equipped to become life-long carvers.
- The studio environment will be non-competitive.
- Carving classes are not always strictly about carving, as students bring a variety of needs and goals to the class setting.
- Classes through Bill’s studio are promoted mostly through word of mouth and direct referral.
Nothing speaks higher of Bill’s studio than the work of his students. Please take a few moments to view the student carvings that have come out of the studio over the years. Go to Student Carvings
Please feel free to inquire about classes in relief carving by contacting Bill Judt at 306-373-6649. You can email him - click here