Woodturners gather in the spring and early summer to exchange tools, skills, and ‘wow’s. Before the symposiums begin, however, there is a lot of work to be done. Dennis is holding a beginner class in early March for very, very inexperienced turners to learn and practice the safety procedures and tool management skills that every turner needs to know. There will be a day of spindle work learning to turn the practice stick, a day to make a simple bowl with bowl gouges, and a final project of the student’s choice.
For those who are a few steps past the starting line, he will be demonstrating more advanced techniques at the Southern States Symposium in Gainesville, GA, April 4-5-6. These rotations include making the multi-axis canteen, the goblet with twisted, laminated stem, and turning aspen for decorating (with Kay).
In May, Dennis and Kay will attend the Utah Woodturning Symposium. Utah is a regional symposium with a focus on skills. In June, they will go to the national American Association of Woodturners big pow-wow in Phoenix.
University-level training in lathe art is exceedingly rare, so most woodturners learn through a hybrid system of private lessons, video demonstrations, and demonstrations by professionals and serious amateurs. Dennis provides demonstrations of his specialties, as well as private lessons for beginners, intermediates, and advanced woodturners. Call Dennis if a good start appeals to you: 719-481-8754