Home - Woodturners Guild of North Carolina

Advanced Tool Control with Matt Monaco

Thursday February 12^th
Hybrid: Live at NCSU Crafts Center & on Zoom
Zoom call opens a 6:15 for socializing
Meeting begins at 6:45 PM
Demonstration begins at 7 PM

WGNC is happy to welcome Matt Monaco as our February Demonstrator and, following his demonstration on Thursday evening, Matt will be leading a three day workshop on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

At the center of Matt’s work is his understanding the importance of pursuing fine form, finesse, advanced tool control, sharpening, and cutting execution as a reflection of traditionally crafted design. He produces surfaces made to be as tactile as they are sublime and creates forms with intent and purpose.

Matt's focus during his demonstration and workshops will be an integrated package of tool choice, precise sharpening and advanced tool control.

We as woodturners, all generally practice some combination of these processes during our own turning projects. However, Matt has spent years studying the nuances of each choice and refined them, bringing his execution of each to new levels.

Exposure to Matt's methods will offer every turner the opportunity to raise their skill level in multiple ways. We hope to see you for the demonstration and any or all of the workshop days.

Monthly Show & Tell Session

Fep 19th, 2026
Zoom session opens at 6:30 PM
Meeting begins at 7:00 PM

Please join us for the February Show and Tell Session

Thanks to all who joined the January Show & Tell. Great pieces submitted and lots
of constructive discussions.

We like to remind everyone 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. We look forward to seeing you soon!

To review the submission guidelines click here..

This past week, we were informed that longtime member, contributor and volunteer, Gene Presson, passed away quietly on Friday, January 9th, 2026. Gene was a wonderful person, always quick to offer a hand, help new turners and offer positive encouragement. His gentle spirit and kindness will be missed.
Gene's memorial has been scheduled for Saturday, January 31st at 10 am. The service will be held at:
Few Interfaith Chapel
2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway
Durham, NC 27705
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Special Olympics of NC
https://sonc.net/support/give/

Upcoming Symposium Dates, Locations and Information

AAW 2026 Symposium
June 4-7, 2026
Raleigh, NC at the Raleigh Convention and
Performing Arts Center

Save the dates and watch this spot. With the 2026 AAW Symposium coming to Raleigh, WGNC is creating this dedicated information area. Check back frequently for updates about WGNC's role in the symposium, volunteer opportunities, AAW updates and more information as it becomes available.

You may signup now for the AAW Symposium and use the WGNC Symposium Discount. To get the discount code, click the DISCOUNT button.

And in other news:

New Videos:
The January Demonstration and Show and Tell videos are now availavle for viewing.

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

Breakout: Exploring Ebonizing with David Chapin

On Saturday, October 25, David Chapin lead a great breakout session at Ted Ross's shop where he explored ebonizing with participants. David discussed the basics first and then showed the many variables that can affect the final result on ebonizing.

This was a hands on session where participants experimented on their own pieces.

Thanks to David Chapin for this fascinating breakout and to Ted Ross who hosted the breakout in his shop..

Breakout: Women in Turning

Can you hear us now? The WIT breakout session was a "sound" event on Saturday, January 24th. This breakout, hosted by Ted Ross, encouraged the ladies to design and create their own "Cell Phone Speaker" turning. Another succesful breakout by the 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,