Benedict Ben

Extract from Indian Time May 13, 2010

Article by Mary La France

Ben Benedict is a lifelong resident of Akwesasne and avid wood worker and craftsman. His waterfowl wood carvings were recently honoured at the 2010 War World Championships, Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival held April 23rd and 25th in Ocean City, MD. He entered three original sculptures and won best of show for his astonishing piece “Raptor Vision”.

Benedict began carving 18 years ago and said his skill just blossomed ever since. He has entered his works in various carving completions across the US and Canada taking best of show at many, including: best of show in Montreal in 2003, best of show in Ottawa in 2006 and first place at Canadian National Championships 2007.

Last year, Benedict entered a piece called “Song Bird” that won second in the World show. This year he entered three pieces made from an impressive red bay drift wood that came all the way from NC. His pieces were delicate and intricate making it hard to believe that each piece was meticulously carved using a single piece of drift wood.

“It is very rewarding,: said Benedict about his most recent win. “it’s a competition so you are competing with countries from all over the world…”

Along with the prestige of winning a World Championship, Benedict’s awards winning pieces will be displayed in China for six months. Benedict has many different projects in the works and is already planning for next year’s World Competition.