By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

A new art class is coming to the Chilton County Arts Council in April.

Tim Tingle, whose carvings are featured in Orr Park in Montevallo, will be teaching a carving class each Tuesday.

Mack Gothard of the Chilton County Arts Council said the class will focus on “old-fashioned whittling,” teaching attendees how to turn a rough-cut shape of wood into a figure.

Each night will be the same project, so if someone does not finish, they can come to the next class and finish, Gothard said.

These free classes begin on April 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Chilton County Arts Council, 703 Second Avenue North in Clanton

Because of limited space, registration is required. A spot in a class can be reserved by emailing chiltoncountyartscouncil@hotmail.com or calling 205-245-9441.

Those with a pocket knife are encouraged to bring it. However, Gothard said Tingle will also have knives available. The wood for the project will be provided.

Tingle is best known for his creative carvings of cedar trees in Orr Park.

Orr Park had been created with a requirement that no trees could be cut down. However, Gothard said when the blizzard of 1993 damaged some of the cedar trees it gave Tangle inspiration to carve them into art pieces.

“Cedar tress don’t rot,” Gothard said. “They stay preserved.”

These pieces are still on display today.