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   CHAPTER MEMBER

Design Thinking for Woodturners with Stuart Kent 
  • Thursday September 11th
  • Hybrid: Live at NCSU Crafts Center and by
  • Zoom Broadcast
  • Zoom call opens a 6:15 for socializing
  • Meeting begins at 6:45 PM
  • Demonstration begins at 7 PM

What is design as it pertains to woodturners?

- How can we learn to apply real meaning to the word design, and learn to apply it with intent in the things we create?
- How can we evaluate our work and examine ways to better understand the decisions we make in our designs?
- How can we learn to ,improve our design thinking and advance our pursuit of high craft?
- What can members of a woodturning community do to support each other and learn to build on aesthetic successes and learn intentional aesthetics?


To explore these topics and help us understand how to improve our designs; Stuart will present the group with a structural way to discuss and understand the word design as it pertains to woodturners.



About our Demonstrator:

Stuart Kent is the Founding Director of the North Carolina Furniture School. He is an accomplished woodworker with over 30 years of specialized experience in furniture and woodturning.

Stuart has contributed to the field of higher education in furniture design, having authored full undergraduate curricula and innovative pedagogy as an Associate Professor of Design. He has also authored and taught study abroad initiatives for U.S. students to 7 countries.



To learn more about Sturat and the North Carolina Furniture School, visit his website here.

 


Upcoming Events
A Look Ahead

Monthly Show & Tell Session

  • Sep 18th, 2025
  • Zoom session opens about 6:30 PM
  • Meeting begins at 7:00 PM


Slideshow
08 - Aug 2025 - Show & Tell

Join us for the September Show and Tell Session

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the August session.  Yet another fun and inspiring evening with a lot of great conversation and sharing of ideas.

We can't say it enough, everyone is always anxious to see what members are making and there is really no better way to do so than by joining in a Show & Tell session.   


It is important to be reminded that the Show & Tell sessions are intended for all levels of woodturners and designed to be a safe and respectful place to solicit supportive input and advice, regardless of a woodturners experience level. It’s an opportunity for turners to engage in an informal and beneficial exchange of ideas and to foster further growth in woodturning.


All WGNC members and their guests are welcome to spend an evening with fellow woodturners as we explore and share members projects, ideas, issues and yes, even those shop disasters.   

Please also keep in mind, you do not have to have a completed project to participate.  These sessions are designed for the exploration of ideas, techniques, problems, designs and any other subjects pertaining to your woodturning experience.  So, whether you have a completed piece, a practice piece, "idea boards", or something that challenges you,  all are welcome for sharing and discussing with other members.  If you don't have anything mentioned above, join us anyway.  We always have a lot of fun, you can meet folks and like most of us, you just might learn something or be inspired to try something new.  Look forward to seeing you soon!

To read the entire article and submission guidelines click here.


 2026 AAW Symposium Dates and Location               
     June 4-7, 2026
     Raleigh, NC at the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Center
      
Save  the date and watch for more information!    


Watch this spot.  With  the 2026 AAW Symposium coming to Raleigh, WGNC is creating a dedicated information page that will be coming soon. 
Check back frequently for updates about WGNC's role in next years symposium, volunteer opportunities, AAW updates and more information as it becomes available.







 And in other news:

Welcome Members
Welcome New Members!



 



New Videos:
The August Demonstration and Show & Tell videos are available now.  Click here.

 


New Galleries:
The August Show and Tell Gallery photos are now available for viewing   Click here



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Breakout: Exploring Ebonizing with David Chapin 

 

On Saturday, October 25 from 9 AM to 1 PM, David Chapin will be leading a breakout session at Ted Ross's shop where he will be exploring ebonizing with participants.  He plans on exploring the basics first and then explore the many variables that can affect the final result on ebonizing.

This will be a hands on session where participants will experiment on their own pieces. For anyone who has wanted to learn how to use ebonizing in their work, this breakout will be a great opportunity to take advantage of.

This breakout will likely fill up quickly, so if you are interested you can learn more and sign up here.

Breakout: Women in Turning

 

The WIT breakout sessions went "Free Form" on Saturday, July 19th. This breakout, hosted by Ted Ross, encouraged the ladies to design and create their own "Free Form" turning. Well done ladies

Breakout: Comments

Below are a few comments regarding the "Let it Burn!" breakout:


Lars Nyland:

Great day yesterday watching all of you burn your pieces! The transformations were amazing! 

I was shocked at the end of the day how much carbon had accumulated in the rinse water; I've never seen anything like it.

Here is a link to the slides I made. If you care to, you can take some time to look into each artist and the techniques they use.  


Stephan Moll:

Thank you very much for having hosted such a wonderful breakout session. Not only was Lars” presentation great and relevant, but opening your workshop for us, the setup outside, the cookies and donuts - it all made for an educational, worthwhile, well organized, fun and peaceful day. The great weather, of course, helped, too. 


David Chapin:

Today was a great day. Lars, it was wonderful to get the benefit of your experience, combined with a chance to experiment for ourselves. 

Thanks so much!!


Karl Koch:

Thank you for sharing with us today Lars! I have been thinking about all the new ideas that I was exposed to today. And thank you Ted for hosting us in your shop and yard!

It was a good day! Which is never something to be taken for granted.

Much appreciated,