Mark Palma sums up this year’s event
Association of Woodturners (AAW) held their 39th annual symposium in St Paul, Minnesota. The symposium kicked off on the Thursday night with an opening of the trade show floor, an instant gallery where any participant could display up to three pieces of their own work (and, if they chose, offer them for sale), and see the unveiling of artworks by chosen artists. The trade show featured 40 vendors who were offering a variety of woodturning- related products. Although far smaller than in past years, the trade show featured lots of new products and deals to be had.
Starting on Friday and continuing through noon on Sunday, 10 rotations of seven to eight programmes each (with each demonstrations repeated) allowed participants to see a variety of demonstrators from Australia, France, the UK, Luxembourg and many from the US. In addition to the live demonstrations, 20 demonstrations were recorded and sold as a limited-time viewing package. This virtual option started during Covid and seems to be growing each year in popularity, while the number of on-site attendees have not returned to pre-Covid levels.The demonstrations were very well attended, but the smaller crowds allowed you to get a good seat for any of the presentations.
Saturday night featured a ticketed banquet, live auction and awards ceremony. This year, AAW honoured Richard Raffan for his incredible contributions to woodturning over his lifetime of turning, first in England and then in Australia. Canadian Michael Hosaluk was also honoured at this symposium with a very impressive selection of his varied work over a 40+ year career on display. One word of caution is that AAW events are held in very large convention centres. So be prepared for lots of walking, stairs and limited (and expensive) food.
Simon Begg’s Instant Gallery exhibits
Rebecca DeGroot’s Instant Gallery exhibits
A Derek Cadmus and Rich Nye collaboration
Vinny Luciani’s Flower Pot series
Michael Hosaluk teapots
Mark Palma checks out the Woodturning stand
Kurt Hertzog with Alan Goodsell
Richard Findley pops by the Woodturning stand
Alan with Emiliano Achaval
The unique work of Rick Cannon
Emmet Kane’s ebonised oak with 23c gold leaf collection
Instant Gallery Hall
Richard Findley demonstrating hand-cut barley twist spindles
PHOTOGRAPHS 1/2/5/8/11 & 12 MARK PALMA – ALL OTHERS ALAN GOODSELL