To promote an interest in woodturning for persons of all levels of
competence, whether beginners or advanced professionals; to provide information,
education, instruction, and hands-on experience for all members; to encourage creativity
and to explore new methods and techniques for advancing woodturning as a creative craft
and as a unique art form; to encourage membership in and give support to the American
Association of Woodturners.
There are approximately 150 members from North Carolina and several other states.
Membership is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.
The North Carolina Woodturners Association is a nonprofit, educational
association chartered by the State of North Carolina. It is one of over sixty state and
local chapters of the American Association of Woodturners, a national organization of over
5,000 members.
In September of 1990, a small group of woodturners met at Bradco Wood
Products in Hickory to form an organization in North Carolina dedicated to the promotion
of woodturning as a creative craft and unique art form. In 1991, the organization was
granted a charter by the State of North Carolina as a non-profit, educational association.
It has grown to over 150 members from Murphy to the Outer Banks. The organization has
regional appeal and includes members from Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Mississippi, and Louisiana. They range in ability from beginners to advanced
professionals. This wide range of talent and special interests provides a strong
environment for learning both fundamental skills and advanced techniques. Read about the
Association's Pear Tree Project.
As the association has its own woodturning equipment, each meeting is
highlighted by a demonstration by one of its members or by an invited guest. Nationally
and internationally acclaimed woodturners are routinely invited to demonstrate. There is a
gallery of members' work on display at each meeting. Each program includes an exhibit of
member's work and a woodturning demonstration by one of the members or by a guest
demonstrator. There are special all-day demonstrations by internationally known
woodturners throughout the year. These have included Dennis Stewart, Buxton, Oregon; Jim
Thompson, Greenville, South Carolina; Nick Cook, Atlanta, Georgia; Rude Osolnik, Berea,
Kentucky; David Ellsworth, Quakertown, Pennsylvania; Robert Sonday, Free Union, Virginia;
and Ray Key, England. Check out details of up coming meetings.
Regular meetings are held in Hickory, NC, at Klingspor Abrasives, the US
headquarters of a German sandpaper company. Several years ago, they opened a store called
appropriately enough, The Woodworking Shop. They were rather successful and became very
supportive of our organization. They were so successful that they opened a new, larger
store and warehouse (they sell by mail too). At that time, they invited us to move our
meeting place to a section of their warehouse. After looking over the situation, we
decided to relocate. We'll have ground floor loading docks, an employee break room for our
Board meetings, and overall a superior meeting place. Not only that, we have a nice
woodworking supply store to browse through before and after our meetings. So, if you
should ever find yourself in or near Hickory, NC on the second Saturday of any month,
(except April and September when we meet elsewhere), we invite you to come by for a visit.
We meet from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Woodworking Shop. It's located at 856 21st
Street Drive SE off Sweetwater Rd. We suggest you get off I-40 at the Lenoir Rhyne Blvd.
exit, go north, stop and call the store for directions on how to get to their location.
The store's number is (704)326-WOOD [(704)326-9663]. It's approximately 3 miles off I-40.
Membership in the North Carolina Woodturners Association is $25.00 per
year and is open to anyone 18 years of age or older who is interested in woodturning.
Visitors are welcome at any regular meeting. For further information, you may contact any
officer or board member.
This web site created and maintained by Barry Boyer. Please send feedback to webmaster@charlottewoodworkers.org