CALVO WOOD CARVING STUDIO • DAVID CALVO

"Forty-Three Years of Professional Carving"
tools for wood carving wood carving in white oak
Custom Wood Carving

wood carved detail in white oak

Formal Education

David Calvo Woodcarver in Gloucester Ma DAVID CALVO has dedicated his professional life to the art of woodcarving and sculpture. In 1974, he started college as a psychology major, but soon realized the professors had the problems they were talking about. So after one year, he changed his major to philosophy because he found it to be a more broader, more all-encompassing topic. The teachers seemed more happy too. He graduated with a degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1979.

In 1993, after being in the sculpture field for fourteen years he returned to Graduate School at Boston University. He was accepted into the Divinity School where he used it as an opportunity to study and focus on how ancient civilizations used symbols as a organizing force for the individual as they related to themselves, each other as a community, and to the forces of nature that played out around them without insulation.

wood carving detail in white oak

Traditional Old-World Wood Carving and Sculpture Training

Calvo has always worked with his hands as long as he can remember. It was during his college years that he borrowed a set of carving tools and started carving to balance out the headiness of a philosophy curriculum. After graduating college, he landed his first job at an established sign carving studio in Boston. By good fortune or the fate of the Gods, he found himself able to live with his cousin who happened to lived right next door to the carving studio. On his first day of work, he rolled out of bed, walked next door and started his wood carving training.

David Calvo was trained at Casieri DiBiccari Studio in Boston where he assisted both principle artists. Archangelo Casceri was a skilled woodcarver who trained with the late Kirschmeyer, who migrated from Germany and became the starlet of Boston carvers. Archangelo also trained with Italian Sculptor Pelligrini, who was the chief artist for "Irving and Casson", a studio for church statuary and carved interior furnishing in the Boston area. Adio was a natural sculptor whose work was cast into all sorts of mediums. He went to the MFA Museum School in Boston and studied under Frederick Allen who was the School Director. Allen saw Adio's talent and trained him as his protege. He also had Adio assist him at his personal studio on 27 Tavern Rd across from the Museum of Fine Arts. Allen eventually sold his Italian renasiance sculpture studio to Adio who continued the legacy and lead a team of artist to create sculpture work for churches and public setting across the States. He was like a second father to me.

David also trained with Frederic Brunner, who went through the European apprenticeship program before migrating to the States in the Boston area. Frederick Brunner not only was a skilled artist and carver, but he also forged all his own tools as well. All said, for anyone as fortunate as Calvo... to be trained under this caliber of mentorship is absolute pedigree training.

Wood carver David Calvo on The Woodwright ShopDavid Calvo with host Roy Underhill on the National
2001 PBS Television Show
“The Woodwright´s Shop”

In addition to his artistic skills, David has extensive training and experience in high-end custom furniture and design making him a well-rounded artist and craftsman. And to complete his studies, David traveled throughout Europe exploring and studying artistic woodcarving and sculptural designs in different cultures.

wood carving ornament in white oak

Passing on the Carving Tradition

David has been a featured master woodcarver at many International Woodworking Trade Shows where he has given woodcarving workshops on woodcarving technique and designing skills. He has also been a featured TV guest on the PBS Television shows: "The Woodwright's Shop" with Roy Underhill and "The American Woodshop" with Scott Phillips.

In addition to running a full time studio, David has a wood carving school and writes articles for national publications to promote and share his skill. He has also recently produced a three-part wood carving instruction video series on the most important aspects of wood carving to train the beginner and intermediate student. David is a sought-after teacher because his unique training is a rarity and he is a natural speaker who has the ability to articulate the mechanics of the skill of wood carving in an easily understood fashion.

wood carving ornament in white oak

Our Reputation Guarantees the Highest Caliber of Workmanship

Calvo Studio designs in many styles, from classical European lines to contemporary abstract thought provoking metaphors. When Harvard University restored Sanders Theatre, its crown jewel of classical design, they assigned Calvo Studio as the designated firm to do all the restoration carving so it would match perfectly the existing exquisite European carving work. We stand by our reputation and your satisfaction.

Today, located in picturesque Gloucester, Massachusetts and with over forty years of professional experience Calvo Studio has a national clientele and continues to produce high-end custom wood carving and bronze sculpture that reflects a mature and educated vision.

 

Carved eagle in wood mahogany
Home | Wood and Bronze Sculpture | Carved Wood Ornament | Dedication & Donor Plaques | David Calvo:Profile
Woodcarving Classes | Wood Carving Class Schedule | Woodcarving Store | Instruction Videos | Articles | Contact Us

© Copyright, all text and images, David Calvo, Calvo Studio, 2023 Updated March 10, 2023