John Schmidt, Woonsocket, attended the 2013 World Taxidermy and Fish Carving Championships held in Springfield, Ill. May 7 -11.
In the live sculpting event, competitors are given 22 hours to complete a form, which is ready to reproduce for sale to taxidermists.
Before the competition Schmidt first had to position an armature made from the real bones of his subject. At the convention he had to finish the sculpure by placing the clay on it to form the body with muscles, veins and all the details to make it look real and ready for mounting.
Schmidt made a raccoon trying to get into a wood duck house. For this he won the Carl Ackley award for “Best in the World” in live sculpting, being chosen as the best sculptor competing in the live sculpture competition. He has won this honor three times before in previous years.
Schmidt also took a pre-sculpted form of a coyote made to stand on rocks. For this he received a first place ribbon.
Schmidt has made many friends from all over the world by attending these competitions and enjoys them very much. He is the son of Margaret Schmidt of Lane and is employed at Van Dyke Taxidermy and Supply of Woonsocket.