Gary Yoder grew up on a farm in Garrett County, Maryland and is a keen observer of song birds and water fowl. Gary creates nearly life-like sculptures of birds he has viewed in the region. As well he carves a variety of individual feathers. Gary attributes his initial interest to an elementary school teacher who encouraged him to pursue his love of birds and his skills as a carver.

Gary has earned numerous awards and recognition, including five first place finishes at the Ward Foundation World Bird Carving Championships. His bird sculptures can be found in private collections all over the world, as well as in the Ward Foundation Museum in Salisbury, MD. Gary's exhibition list includes The Smithsonian, The Bruce Museum, The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, and the World Bird Carving Exhibition in Japan.

Gary Yoder has been the Carver-in-Residence at the Spruce Forest Artisan Village since 1972. Gary mentors area carvers, and over the years those artists have also earned awards.