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What is your definite "DON'T MISS" at the symposium?

D

Doug M Jones

Joined
Jun 22, 2007
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Location
Central Iowa
This will be my first symposium and I keep going over the demonstration grid and have changed my choices several times. What is the one demo you would not want to miss?

I'm about as excited as a kid at Christmas. The next week is going to take forever.
 
Harvey Helmke, my best friend and a great friend to many turners who passed away 12 years ago, said it best after we went to out first symposium in Fort Collins.

"It's like feeding a baby with a fire hose. There's so much flying around, you can't get it all in!!"

How very true. I have always picked my sessions based on what I do turning wise, and those demonstrators whose work I have admired. I also try to sit in on some of the panel discussions that peak my interest. (One of the best was a "Finding your Muse" in KC with Binh Pho, Andy Wolfe, Jacques Vesery, and I think David Elsworth. I also try each year to pick something new that is outside of my turning area.

Remember, if a session does not hit you right in the first part of it, slide out and go to another session. If you plan to perhaps leave make sure to sit on the ends or at the back so as to be as undisruptive as possible.

Above all -- ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clayton
 
Plan your schedule as a 1st,2nd,3rd. There may be ones that are too crowded for you or you and the demonstrator don't click or they diverge from what the topic appeared to be.

Leave a lot of time for the instant gallery and the vendor ares. If there is a big name turner you want to see, see if that demo is available Sunday after lunch, those are the least crowded demos (saw Hans Wiesflog demo to 6 people once).

If they aren't, see about leaving your other demo a bit early to grab a front row seat on the next demo. Bring a notebook, a digital camera, a credit card and an open mind, a way open mind. You will see things you thought not possible, tell you find out how it's done! Everyone for the most part, is pretty open and approachable. Some just hand out in the IG. Look at thier name tag and introduce yourself and tell them how you admire thier work.

Every year I sit with someone and ask advice on a direction or technique and get great advice.

Be flexible, scout out areas for coffee and lunch ahead of time, and have the time of your life. It only happens once in your life, but every year!

Then figure out how your going to New Mexico next year. I plan a vacation every year around this, going to DC after this one.
 
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Doug,
Don't miss an opportunity to make a new freind.
Introduce your self whenever you sit or stand close to someone you don't know.

I don't think there is a bad choice on our program.

I'll recommend that you see Al Stirt.

If you have never seen his bowl demo, go see it.

His Square platter is one I hope to see again. You should go see that one too.

Now you only have 9 picks left

have a safe trip,
Al
 
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Above all -- ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is very good advice. So is the advice of the others. I wish I would have been smart enough to ask for advice before my first experience.

Don't allow your self to get flustered because you can't make every demo you want to see. My first symposium was a blur of rushing to see everything and wound up missing a lot. Don't make that mistake. If necessary skip a rotation, and visit the instant gallery. Once there take the time to appreciate the skill and creativity on display. It will be a quiet and relaxed place while the rotations are in high gear.
 
Although I enjoy the demo's, I've had a lot more fun just hanging around the halls meeting people. Talk to anyone you see. It's amazing how much you have in common. When you visit a vendors booth ask questions. So many people just walk buy. The vendors are full of good information and usually you end up in a discussion with some other people visiting the booth as well.
After you've made a few friends hit the instant gallery. It's so much more fun when you can discuss the work with several other people.
It would be difficult for me to name a best presenter because they are all good. Binh Pho is fabulous if you want to turn thin and do piercing. Todd Hoyer does a tremendous presentation on wood characteristics and movement. Micheal Mocho does a wonderful texturing demo. Dixie Biggs is also great on surface enhancement. Any time you see Mark St. Leger you will learn something, he's full of it, 🙂 I mean full of ideas.
If your in to the Art end of things don't miss Jacques Vessery or Cindy Drozda or Betty Scarpino.
Personally I can't wait to see Haley Smith, Benoit Averly, and Eli Avisera. I like what they do and will definitely learn something. Hope I can fit them in.
 
I have three(?) main goals this year. That would be the Boxturing SIN, the IG, and Vendor Show, AND, to enjoy the entire experience. I felt l missed a lot trying "to do everything" in Louisville and missed a lot. The other "must do" is to meet up with as many friends as I can and meet many new friends.

Seriously, I hope to see Richard Raffen, Jacques Vesery, and anyone else that intrigues me. There are a lot of people I don't know so I will be asking around about them. I plan to keep my options as open as possible and I'm sure I will learn a lot.

keithz
http://kzarts.com
 
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If this is your first symposium, I would suggest spending a large chunk of time in the instant gallery....you can learn more there than at all the rotations combined. For example, look at the various finishes and surface treatments for a level of expertise to shoot for. Examine how lids fit, how collars are attached, and most important: shapes and forms.(don't pick the pieces up, it's enough to closely examine) Take lots of photos to study when you have more time. The IG is where it's at...the very best work on earth will be on display, all in the same room. My favorite thing to do? I make a list of my favorite pieces, then compare my list to the pieces that receive the formal "critique". I don't attend many demos; there's so much else to see!
 
Hmphf!:mad:
I can't go...

So I plan to go out to my shop and turn all day just out of spite!😀 That'll show ya!

Seriously, Y'all have fun...
 
Wow, that sucks

Can I buy your hours? I need to figure out some way to clone myself or stretch time.

I am quite lucky though. I got to be Demo Assistant for Dixie Biggs, Cindy Drozda, Binh Pho & Mark St. Ledger! I'm getting an up close experience with 4 of my idols and doing my part to help out at the Symposium. 😀

I am bringing my husband and will try to point him & his video camera in the direction of the demo's I can't squeeze in. He's also going to volunteer at the Instant Gallery.
 
Truffuls said:
I am quite lucky though. I got to be Demo Assistant for Dixie Biggs, Cindy Drozda, Binh Pho & Mark St. Ledger! I'm getting an up close experience with 4 of my idols and doing my part to help out at the Symposium. 😀
Click to expand...

That is a great way to be as close as possible to the action. Once did camera work for John Jordan (Symposium, San Antonio)
 
Volunteering too

Since I will be demonstration assistant to Jim Hilburger, Curt Theobold, Jacques Vesery and Richard Raffen as well as working 1 shift in the youth room 5 of my 11 demos are set. Just agonizing over the other 6.

In any case, it should be lot of fun.
 
I'll be doing the video for Dug Campbell, Hayley Smith (2 rotations), Al Stirt, Richard Raffan and Larry Hasiak.
Also considering going to the Friday night box makers special interest group gathering.
At least one rotation will be spent in the Instant Gallery along with lunch breaks.
 
A great line-up for assisting!

Truffuls said:
Can I buy your hours? I need to figure out some way to clone myself or stretch time.

I am quite lucky though. I got to be Demo Assistant for Dixie Biggs, Cindy Drozda, Binh Pho & Mark St. Ledger!
Click to expand...

Lucky you! The only thing that is keeping me from getting really depressed is the fact that a bunch of my turning friends are coming here to visit for a day or so after the symposium to cheer me up. 🙂 I am really looking forward to that. In fact I think it will be as much or more fun than Richmond!
 
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