American Association of Woodturners facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
American Association of Woodturners

American Association of Woodturners logo
Location	Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

The American Association of Woodturners (AAW) is a big group in the United States. It helps people learn about and enjoy woodturning. Woodturning is a craft where you shape wood using a special machine called a lathe. The AAW started in 1986 and is based in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

This organization has over 15,000 members. These members live in the United States and many other countries. The AAW also works with almost 350 local groups around the world. They hold a big meeting each year called a national symposium. The AAW also helps local clubs with teaching and learning activities. In 2011, the AAW celebrated its 25th birthday at its yearly meeting in Saint Paul.

What the AAW Does

The AAW has a clear goal: to help more people understand and enjoy woodturning. They see it as both a traditional craft and a modern art form. They want to share this art with everyone, from beginners to experts.

Learning About Woodturning

The AAW helps people learn through different ways. They offer education, share information, and provide technical help. They also publish books and magazines about woodturning.

Woodturning has become very popular since the AAW began. This craft has been around for about 4,000 years. It uses wood, which is a natural material. Woodturners make useful items, art pieces, and sculptures from wood.

How Woodturning Works

Woodturning is different from other types of woodworking. In woodturning, the wood spins very fast on a lathe. The artist then uses sharp tools like chisels and gouges. They hold these tools by hand to shape the spinning wood.

Benefits of Joining AAW

Being a member of the AAW offers many good things. Members get a magazine six times a year. They can also get insurance and scholarships. The AAW holds national symposiums (big meetings). They also offer learning chances for new turners and young people. Members can also use the AAW website to show and sell their woodturnings.

The AAW was started at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It still works closely with this school. They also work with the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. Another partner is the Anderson Ranch in Snowmass Village, Colorado.

How the AAW is Organized

The AAW is a non-profit group. It is run by a Board of Directors with nine members. These board members are volunteers. They serve for three years each. Every year, three new board members are chosen by the members. They start their terms in January.

The Board hires an executive director and an editor. They also choose a Board of Advisors. Various committees help with specific tasks. For example, some committees plan the national symposium. Others manage money grants for clubs and individuals.

American Woodturner Magazine

The AAW publishes a magazine called American Woodturner. It comes out six times a year. You can read it in print or online. If you are an AAW member, you get the magazine as part of your membership. You can also buy single copies at newsstands. Members can read all past issues online. The magazine has articles for everyone. This includes new woodturners, those with some experience, and professionals.

Local and Online Groups

The AAW works with over 350 local groups, also called clubs. They also have three "virtual" groups. Most local groups are in the United States. But there are also groups in other countries. These include Canada, England, New Zealand, Taiwan, Australia, and Japan.

Virtual Chapters

Virtual groups are not based in a certain place. Instead, they focus on special woodturning methods. The three virtual groups are:

• Ornamental Turners International
• Segmented Woodturners
• Pen Turners

Types of Woodturning

Ornamental woodturners use a special machine called an ornamental lathe. Segmented woodturning means joining many small pieces of wood together. This is done before turning them. It creates amazing patterns and designs. Pen turners make pens and other writing tools. They use both wood and man-made materials.

Yearly Symposium

Every year, the AAW holds a big meeting called the Annual Symposium. The AAW has organized these meetings since 1987. They take place in different cities across the United States. The very first symposium was in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1987.

What Happens at a Symposium

These gatherings usually include:

• Live presentations by expert turners.
• An auction of special woodturnings.
• An "instant gallery" showing new woodturning art.
• Hands-on demonstrations and how-to sessions.
• The largest trade show for woodturning tools and supplies.
• A special training center for young people.

AAW Gallery of Wood Art

The AAW Gallery of Wood Art

The AAW runs the AAW Gallery of Wood Art in Saint Paul. It is located in the historic Landmark Center. This gallery shows different art pieces made from wood. There is also a gift shop. It costs nothing to enter the gallery. It is open every day except Monday and Saturday.

The AAW works with the Wood Art Alliance. This group used to be called Collectors of Wood Art. Together, they help people learn about and enjoy studio wood art. This includes collectors, artists, teachers, art critics, galleries, museums, and the public.