John David Caldwell was born in Atlanta, GA, and obtained a Ceramic Engineering degree from Clemson University.  He now resides in Lawndale, NC.  David has been carving professionally since 1996.  In 1995,  the Shelby, NC City Park gave David the honor of helping to reconstruct an antique carousel dating back to 1919.  David worked with a team to restore  29 original horses, and in doing so, he became familiar with the construction of these rare carvings.  In order to complete the carousel as it once stood, David carved three new horses from scratch. 

In addition to his expertise with carousel carvings, David has been commissioned to carve several facades for Cornel Zimmer Organ builders located in Denver, NC.  Some of these wood carvings are now located in St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, PA., and more recently at Christ Episcopal Church in Ridley Park, PA.

David's diverse carving experience ranges from carousel horses, organ facades, linen folds, and architectural  restoration, to antique repair and custom carved furniture.  With his engineering background, David uses old world craftsmanship to create sculptures which meet the artistic needs of our modern world.

Awards: David was awarded the Regional Artist Project Grant for 1997-1998 from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Arts and Science Council