Floyd's frequent carvers in the October 2023 seminar carved a Lifesize Swallow-tailed Kite in Flight!2026 Carving & Painting Seminar Schedule!
Lifesize Grey Phase Screech Owl
Sunday June 14 - Wed June 24, 2026
What a perfect subject to kick off this year's seminars!
Join me as we bring to life a soft, stealthy Grey Phase Screech Owl perched silently upon a gnarled Pine branch.
Perhaps one of the best known of all North American species, our Screech Owls as a subject bird will enable us to cover all the "creative bases"... Proper fierce eye set, Tight wood burning, Feather insertions, Airbrush usage for a variety of effects and super detailed brush work.
All skill levels are welcome in this class as we take it from Tupelo rough out to totally finished Owl. Bases and Driftwood mounting are included with your cut-out as well!
Take home something you'll be proud of which will soon become a cherished family heirloom !
Carving Level: intermediate to advanced
Location: Vermont Raptor Academy
The Monument Arts & Cultural Center
Bennington, Vermont
Register below and pay $800.00 deposit.
Class Fee: $2,000.00
Pair of American Goldfinches
Sunday July 12 - Saturday July 18, 2026 (ONE WEEK)
"Stunning" was the word my wife uttered upon seeing a pair of Goldfinches show up at our thistle feeder at our kitchen window!
Open to all skill levels, this will be a bird carving class guaranteed to make you eager to carve more songbirds! With their bright yellow summer plumage few North American birds are more identifiable than a male Goldfinch.
In this fun seminar we'll have a rare opportunity to explore attitude, design and painting bright colors as well as in depth Airbrush usage as we work to bring this delightful duo to life!
Learn all the fine texturing skills such as stoning and light wood burning to bring forth the dazzling array of feathers on this small, vibrant songbird.
This confidence building seminar will be geared more towards those who wish to develop their skills beyond that of a beginner. Base and Habitat are provided.
Carving Level: Open to all levels and beginners eagerly accepted!!
Location: Vermont Raptor Academy
The Monument Arts & Cultural Center
Bennington, Vermont
Register below and pay $800.00 deposit.
Class Fee: $1,250.00
Lifesize American Kestrel w/ Dragonfly
Sunday August 9 to Wed Aug 19, 2026
With all the fierceness of a Raptor and the colorful size of a songbird this feisty little hunter is a true favorite among bird artists.
This mid-summer in depth seminar will cover all the Bird Carving bases!
Beginning with a Tupelo Rough-out, we'll carve, texture and paint our way through a magical 10 days. All techniques will be covered in great detail including stoning, wood burning, airbrushing and hyper detailing.
Perched high on a silvered branch, clutching a robotic Dragon fly in its talons, this Falcon will put forth an air of dominance, beauty and power.
You will leave the seminar with a renewed sense of confidence and pride ready to return home and tackle that Hawk you know you've always wanted to do...
Open to all levels, but some carving experience is needed.
Carving Level: intermediate to advanced
Location: Vermont Raptor Academy
The Monument Arts & Cultural Center
Bennington, Vermont
Register below and pay $800.00 deposit.
Class Fee: $2,000.00
Lifesize Broadwinged Hawk with Autumn Foliage
Monday October 19 - Thursday October 29, 2026 The great "October EVENT!!"
By far my favorite time of the year and a great time to set free a gorgeous adult Broad winged Hawk ready for migration! This end of the season extravaganza is always a favorite among those who have carved with me in the past. The rich yet subtle brown coloring throughout Hawk`s body will be a joy to carve, texture and Paint! Bases and all mounting materials will be provided.
We will be employing every technique available to bring this solitary hunter to life! All levels of carving ability are welcome ! This is a slightly larger bird so rest up! You'll need it!
(This highly in demand seminar sells out immediately but you can get on a waiting list if you wish!)
Carving Level: experienced carvers only please.
Location: Vermont Raptor Academy
The Monument Arts & Cultural Center
Bennington, Vermont
Register below and pay $800.00 deposit.
Class Fee: $2,000.00
2026 Notes from Floyd...
2026 Vermont Raptor Academy Seminars
Jan. 2026 Note
Hello Friends,
As we welcome 2026, here's wishing you all a happy, healthy and safe new year! How about starting off the year with some GREAT NEWS!
Since the 2020 Covid Pandemic forced the closure of The Bennington Center for the Arts, I have been conducting my Vermont Raptor Academy seminars in alternative locations.
Now under new, enthusiastic management, I am pleased to let you know that I will be resuming our seminars at the newly opened and refurbished world class Monument Art Center! This return marks a new era for us. What can be better than a creative partnership with The Society of Animal Artists, an internationally renowned organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting Wildlife Art and wildlife artists! For me personally, this is a kind of homecoming as the facility and surrounding area provide the perfect place to come and learn while building your confidence and take your carving and painting skills to the next level!
If not now… when?
C'mon up to beautiful Vermont and carve with me! Hope to see you this year! CHEERS!
Thanks,
Dec. 2025 Note
As many of you may recall, at the start of 2025 I was very excited and had high hopes for our new seminar location at the V.I.N.S. Raptor Center in Quechee, Vermont. Seemed like a perfect fit!
Having conducted three in-depth seminars there, it became increasingly apparent to me and several of you that, due to several factors, it was simply not to be... Life is about accepting some things that are out of your control and moving on.
The good news is that I will be resuming my Vermont Raptor Academy sessions back to the newly renovated and under new ownership Monument Art Center located at 44 Gypsy Lane in Bennington, Vermont.
Kinda like a Homecoming or sorts!
Stand by as, within a week or so, I will be posting dates and subjects ranging from Grey Phase Screech Owls and American Kestrels toBroad winged Hawks!!
Thank you! Wishing you all only the VERY best for the upcoming year and I look forward to carving with you!
Thanks,
Class Location & Info
Seminars are moving back to Bennington in 2026!!! Under new ownership, the Monument Arts & Cultural Center is located at 44 Gypsy Lane in Bennington, convenient to the Albany airport.
Seminars feature catered lunches, snacks and so much more!
Any questions, be in touch!
Class Size Requirement
Exclusive seminars! Don't delay!
Seminar participation is limited to twelve students.
In order to run the class, the sign up total must be six or more, or it will be cancelled.
Supplies
Review our recommended supplies list.
Learn from DVD
As Floyd's seminar schedule is generally in great demand, he offers the additional option of learning from his many books and DVDs.
Registration & Inquiries
You are welcome to use the following form to communicate your interests.
To reserve space, please submit the requested information below and indicate the seminar and week of your choice. Once confirmed, please pay a deposit of $800 as noted above by mail to PO Box 150, Hancock, VT 05748, or using PayPal at right (or below on mobile devices). Lunches are included.
Pay for Seminar by PayPal
Please complete this short form if you would like to pay an $800 deposit or final payment for a seminar using PayPal. Please be sure you are already confirmed for attendance in the seminar. You do not need a PayPal account to make the payment; a credit card can also be used independently.
When you arrive at PayPal, input the payment amount in Price per Item and click "Update." Then either login to your account or complete payment as a guest.
