Welcome to the Alaska Woodturners
Website!
Alaska Woodturners
Association is a state wide organization
established exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes;
providing assistance and encouragement to Woodturners; sharing ideas,
techniques, tools and tool design and wood as well as equipment; and
providing a place for Woodturners to meet. AWA is a local chapter of
The American Association of Woodturners
AWA sponsors woodturning
classes to all members interested in learning how to turn. All classes are
open to members of AWA with some having a minimal charge to cover the costs
of materials. Turning 101 is basic spindle turning; 102 is green bowl
turning; 201 is turning a candlestick and base; 202 is finish bowl
turning with power sanding and vacuum chucking; 301 is turning 3 useful off
center (oval) tool handles; and 302 is turning small boxes.
There is an
annual weekend woodturning symposium in the
spring (usually March) where at least 2 world master turners are
demonstrators along with 2 local expert turners. There are turning
classes offered the week before and the week after the symposium with the
master turners.
There is a mentor program where one may call or email any of
the board members with any question related to woodturning. The club also
helped teach woodturning to Bartlett High School art students in October of
'06 and Wasilla High School industrial art students in November '06.
Every Year Members demonstrate woodturning to
onlookers at the Alaska State Fair.
Trudy Carlson, Don Fall &
Bill Bowers demonstrating on opening day of the 2007 Alaska State Fair
Last year AWA helped fight Parkinson's Disease by contributing
various hand made ornaments to the Parkinson's Research Fund Auction in Minnesota.
Monthly meetings begin in September through May on designated
Saturdays with various demonstrations on turning from beginning to advanced
topics. June, July, and August are free of meetings so that members may
enjoy the great Alaskan outdoors. Dues are $25/year individual and $30 for a
family. If you are interested please pick up an application and mail it
in with your remittance. See you at the lathe.
