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Questions about benefits of the Symposium

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4mikee

Joined
May 26, 2006
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Location
N.W. Alabama
I have been turning for two years and provided I can satisfy a few question about how the symposium will benefit my turning then I can finally decide whether to attend. Fortunately I have been able to turn a fair amount and I guess I am of average ability as a turner of two years. My turning has included coring, natural edge and utility bowls, platters, hollow forms and some surface enhancement. I will be the first to tell you in my opinion I will never know enough about turning only that I want to continue to improve. My expectations upon attending the symposium is to bring back information that will really benefit my skills and creative side. By this I would expect (or hope) to be able to put into practice (with practice) information demonstrated in the rotations. A couple of examples would be if I am coring bowls or turning hollow forms will the information presented give me the tools to noticeably improve upon those skills (given an average person and ability). Since I have never been to a symposium I am trying to weigh the cost benefit of the event. It is understood I will be in the company of world class turners in an excellent setting. I will appreciate any insight you can provide. I have found that most of the turners I have met are happy to share with others. Thanks for you’re help…….
 
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This is what I expect

Mike
I too have been turning just over 2 years and have tried succesfully in most case many types of turning. I learned by reading books and the internet in addition to blindly attempting things. You didn't say how you learned the skill you have now. I did attend one, one week class late last summer. The first day I probably learn more than I had in the time I had spent. The demostrator did boxes. I could make a decent box when I arrived but it took all day and by the end of the first day I could make a good box in about an hour and a half. Speed is the thing you may learn.

Mostly I hope to gain two things attending this my first Symposium. First to see many tools in action and to shop the trade show. I know this will be a 1000 times better than a catalog picture and write up. Second I am really looking forward to the instant gallery and other exhibitions for design inspirations. I am especially interested in surface treatments and how people apply them.

I may have to leave the Symposium early (Saturday morning) to get back to an event at the gallery that sells my work. I am definately torn between loosing a day in Louisville and the opportunity to spend time talking to customers. This decision needs to be made by next week so I am looking forward to how the veterans answer your question.

Frank
 
I have been able to attend two symposiums. Do not hesitate....go. Three days of demos by some of the top turners in the world. If I could afford it I would go every year. If you learn one thing from each demo I consider it worth it. Ideas, technique are the two biggest benefits I get from any demo I see. You get to see the "state of the art" in woodturning at the demos and at the instant gallery. I have found that there is so much to see that it is hard to choose what rotations to attend. If you are thinking of attending grab the phone, or your keyboard and make your reservations now.
 
There has been someone there demonstrating coring systems at the last 2 symposiums I've been to. Did we mention they have discounts on some really good items at the vendor booths. I bought my last vicmarc chuck there. The price was just too good. There are usually demos going on in the vendor area and if you ask a question they will usually show you.
Then there's the instant gallery to inspire you and of course the demos are all good.
 
If you want to grow as a turner, improve your skill level, there is no better way of doing it. If your satisfied with turning as being just something to do every so often, save the money and skip the symposium. Sounds to me as though you really enjoy turning, so if you do go, you won't regret it. Some of the most fun is meeting and talking to other turners from around the world. Decide what areas of turning you enjoy most and see those type of demonstrations. Save time for the instant gallery. You'll get tons of ideas from others turnings. Hope to see you there.
 
The symposiums are a great way to pick up tips and techniques. I have been turning for about 5 years and have learned techniques from each symposium. Plus it's great to see all the items in the instant gallery, the exhibitions (3 this year), and visit the tradeshow to catch up on new equipment.
 
Mike,

It's interesting what a big help a small dose of humility will do for your turning in both the technical and creative sides of your work. Just watching Mike Mahoney demo the McNaughton set in the vendor area helped me in using the set and I hadn't thought I had any problems!

The formal demos run the gamut through most all aspects of turning, and you're sure to pick stuff just watching. You may find yourself nodding along with the steps being illustrated and then, all of a sudden, be seeing something that can take you to a whole new level. It's very energizing!

Then there's rubbing (or bending!) elbows with some of the leaders and innovators and seeing their work UC&P. 'Tis more than worth the time and expense.

Go!

Mark
 
Mike,
Back in the early '90's, I struggled to teach myself "how to turn" for more than a year. I saw a flyer about an AAW Symposium and decided to go. I had never seen another person turn wood. It was such an eye-opening experience, I'll never forget it.

By all means, if you can, GO.
 
Mike, Frank and all others contemplating attending the (a) symposium,

Sign up immediately!!! I have yet to attend a turning symposium (wound up in the emergency room the day before last year's in Kansas), but as a sculptor/furniture maker for 30 years before infection by the turning bug hit 5 years ago, I attended symposia as often as I could afford the time and mileage - even the national ceramics conference NCECA. You will be in for a big suprise - all the nuts-and-bolts "cost effective" motives that get you to your first one will take a distant second place to the benefits which will show up in your work, working, thinking, designing, sensitivity to form, appreciation of forms and ideas you have no interest in pursuing, and so much more!

Sign up, attend with an open mind, soak up everthing you see and hear. Talk to other attendees. Talk to the demonstrators between sessions. Look at the work exhibited. Go as a sponge, and as you get back to your lathe, it will squeeze inself out in ways that you cannot anticipate (without rusting your lathe beds).

I'm going to Provo this year - schedule conflict - crossed fingers for good health!!
 
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As long as everyone else is posting their symposia stories. I started turning seriously about three years ago, right after the 2003 symposium. The next year it was in Orlando, and we wer in the part of the state for another reason one of the days so I dropped by and looked at the instant gallery, talked with vendors, and met a lot of great people in the hallways. I didn't actually register so I did not attend any demos, but what I learned from what I saw was amazing. In that one day of wandering around I learned more than in a year of teaching myself.

Last year couldn't make it due to other obligations. I have pre-registered this year and have made nearby hotel reservations (host hotel has been full for months). I have volunteered to be a helper for several demo sessions, outlined a 1st, 2nd, & 3rd choice for all sessions, worked on a list of "must see" vendors, camera all charged up for the instant gallery and other work, made plans to discuss woodturning over a beer or two with people I have met on here, and look forward to every minute of it. Never talked to anyone who has been to an AAW symposium in our local chapter that regreted going, all of them wait all year for the next one.

In other words, in my opinion- GO!
 
O.K. It's done.......I'm registered

It doesn't take long to get an honest answer from most woodturners now does it. Each of you have answered my questions and did a great job. My reservations about going have been satisfied. I like to think I'm a humble turner with one goal and that is to learn more. I hope to still get replies and of course any advise is appreciated. In the mean time, I have made my reservation. I wanted to make sure the expenditure had an equal return and it looks like it does. Hope to see some of you there. Have a safe trip.
Mike
 
Now THERE'S An Idea!

Those forum members who are going to Loo-vul should gather to put face to name (and lips to glass) at some point during the way-too-short gathering.

Given I know a number who will be engaged on Thursday evening, the banquet on Friday, and in the wind on Saturday,

May I suggest say Wednesday, 8pm in the Galt House bridge bar?
 
4mikee said:
It doesn't take long to get an honest answer from most woodturners now does it. Each of you have answered my questions and did a great job. My reservations about going have been satisfied. I like to think I'm a humble turner with one goal and that is to learn more. I hope to still get replies and of course any advise is appreciated. In the mean time, I have made my reservation. I wanted to make sure the expenditure had an equal return and it looks like it does. Hope to see some of you there. Have a safe trip.
Mike
Click to expand...

I have been to a mixture of national and chapter sponsored symposia. I have yet to come away without, insight, ideas and new paths to explore. The improvement still comes from you. The best place to learn is right in front of your lathe, practicing what you've seen and heard at the big shows and contact with other turners. By all means go and enjoy.
 
My Symposium Experiences

Mike,

I started turning about five years ago and saw at that time an ad for the Utah symposium. I knew nothing about it but I decided that I would register and go see what it was all about. My first morning there walking through the gallery and seeing all the beautiful and high quality turnings there I said to myself "what in the world am I doing here, I will never be able to do that". But I enjoyed the symposium anyway and found that I was exposed to so many new ideas and methods that my head was spinning at the end. A funny thing happened after that as I kept going back year after year for more. While my work may still not approach that of those skilled demonstrators I have learned a lot from seeing them in action and I have gained confidence and a degree of skill from attempting some of their more difficult procedures.

I will be leaving very soon for my fifth Provo attendance and fully expect to glean much from those national and international turning magicians. I understand that next year the AAW symposium is coming to Portland, my part of the world, and I will be one of the first ones to register for that. But I have much respect for the organizers of the Utah one as it is the oldest event like that and they have learned well how to do it right. I hope the bigger AAW is as well run next year.

So I voice my opinion on your decision to go and that is a big thumbs up! Enjoy.

Don from Eugene, OR
 
Meeting in L'ville

Mark Mandell said:
Those forum members who are going to Loo-vul should gather to put face to name (and lips to glass) at some point during the way-too-short gathering. . . May I suggest say Wednesday, 8pm in the Galt House bridge bar?
Click to expand...

I'll be driving in that day after a few weeks in Iowa. Should be there in time to meet you there at 8pm for a cold one. Looking forward to it, and hope we need a table for more than two of us! :cool2:
 
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