Luther (Butch) Goings

Luther “Butch” Goings is a very talented wood carver from the Birdtown community.  Butch learned to carve from a young age, he started carving whistles with his father George Goings.  Then when Butch was in high school he learned to carve more intricate pieces under the instruction of Amanda Crowe.

Butch now works in woods such as black walnut, wild cherry, cedar, and buckeye as well as stones like soapstone, alabaster, and red pipestone.  Butch has always believed when you carve, you should have an image in your head of what you want your carving to look like.  Don’t make it look like my carvings or someone elses.

Butch has had his pieces take home ribbons in the Cherokee Fall Festivals and they have brought him other awards including the 2016 Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award along with his wife Louise Goings.