OK this is a real shot in the dark but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask here. I'm searching for a carving friend and all the other online options have not panned out.

Quite a long time ago I used to carve wood with a woman named Lydia Mason.
I'm guessing this was in the late 1970s or 1980's but I'm horrible remembering dates and times.

Anyways I met her at a little storefront art space/workshop in Chicago, called the Southern Cultural Exchange Center - or maybe it was called Chicago Cultural Exchange Center. I suspect it was a state or city funded endeavor to make a questionable neighborhood somewhat better.

Lydia was originally from somewhere other than the USA - I think it was the Dominican Republic.
Her accent was difficult for me to understand at times but we always connected and enjoyed each others company while carving.
My guess is she's probably in her 70s or 80s now, if she's still alive.

If she's still around somewhere I thought it would be fun to connect again...