Meet The Carvers
June 12-21, 2026
Exhibition Park | 3977 Portage Ave. | West Gate off of Festival Drive | Winnipeg, Manitoba
Ernie Reimer
Tyndall, MB
Ernie is no stranger to wood having been in the logging industry since 2004. Ernie operates his sawmill out of Tyndall Firewood Supply and knows how to find the beauty in any piece of wood. Along with milling and running Windy Day Woodworks, Ernie has been chainsaw carving for nine years.
Fred Thomas
Winnipeg, MB
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 commissioned by the neighbourhood.
Collin Diachun
Ste Anne, MB
Collin started carving in 2024 after taking a bear carving class with Ernie and has never looked back. He has 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
Ste Anne, MB
Stephanie is an adventurous outdoor enthusiast with a deep love of wildlife which she loves to bring into her art. She has always found fulfillment in working with her hands, with experience in residential construction, carpentry, home renovations, and leatherwork, alongside a background in graphic design.
Driven by a need to create and take on new challenges, Stephanie discovered a passion for chainsaw carving in September 2023. Since then, she has continued to refine her craft, finding joy in transforming discarded logs into beautiful wood sculptures.
Darcy Birnie
Dryden, ON
Darcy began chainsaw carving in 2017, initially focusing more on painting than carving. As his skills developed, Darcy began attending shows across Manitoba, including Festival du Voyageur and the 4P Festival in Pine Falls, which helped accelerate his growth as a carver.
Over time, Darcy has participated in numerous events throughout Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. He has a strong appreciation for seeing a new generation of artists emerge, along with opportunities to offer guidance and encouragement. Darcy looks forward to upcoming events like the Ex and values the continued support for the art.
