At Origin at Longwood, we’re proud to be home to countless individuals with fascinating stories and incredible talents. One of those people is Gary Smith—a humble, gifted wood carver whose retirement hobby has grown into a therapeutic passion, a creative outlet, and a way to give back.
Gary’s carving journey began 25 years ago after he retired and hit the road in an RV. Along his travels, he found inspiration in RV carving clubs and began taking lessons to fill his winters with purpose. When he settled in Nanaimo ten years ago, Gary joined a local woodworking club and hasn’t looked back since. Now, he carves five days a week for one to two hours a day—finding solace, focus, and joy in each session.
His hands have shaped hundreds of “comfort birds,” tiny hand-carved tokens sold for charity by Hospice. He works primarily with basswood and butternut, letting the grain guide his process. “You don’t carve a bird from a block of wood,” he says with a smile, “you carve away everything that doesn’t look like a bird.”
For Gary, the process is intuitive, imaginative, and deeply personal. One of his favourite stories involves a road runner that used to follow him around an RV park in Arizona. Inspired by their daily encounters, he carved a wooden tribute to the curious creature—capturing not just its likeness, but the memory as well.
His most cherished piece? A dragon—carefully carved all at once, as he believes you must create the whole picture together, not piece by piece. “You never really know what the wood will give you,” Gary reflects. “You can’t force it. You just carve what’s not meant to be there.”
Living at Origin at Longwood has allowed Gary to continue his work in a supportive and inspiring environment. While he hasn’t run workshops yet, his carvings and kind spirit are well known among community members. When asked what advice he’d give to beginners, Gary emphasizes the importance of finding a mentor, taking lessons, and joining a carving club—like the Mid Island Carving Club which meets regularly at the Nanaimo Seniors Centre at Benson Park.
As for what’s next? Even Gary doesn’t know. “If I knew what I’d carve next, I’d have started already.”
From humble beginnings with a jackknife on a farm to intricate carvings in a vibrant senior community, Gary Smith’s journey reminds us that creativity has no age—and that sometimes, the best part of the process is not knowing exactly where the next cut will take you.
Gary would like to invite you to visit Origin at Longwood to view an inspiring collection of wood carvings created by the talented Mid Island Wood Carvers. This special exhibit is part of a charity sale, with proceeds supporting the Nanaimo Regional Hospital Foundation.
The beautifully handcrafted pieces will be on display from October 1st through late October at Origin at Longwood. A portion of each sale — from 20% up to 100% — will be donated directly to the Foundation.
Come enjoy the artistry and support a great cause!
