As The Wood Turns Internet Version

July 2003

Location: Woodcraft Supply Store, 1280 E. Dundee Rd, Palatine IL
847-774-1186

In this Issue
> Curls from the President
> Demonstrators Schedule
   for meeting nights & weekend Master Demos
> CWT Mentors
> July Meeting Note’s
> July Gallery — See Gallery section of web site
> 2003 Woodturning Congress

I’m really looking forward to the August meeting, as it seems like I haven’t seen any of you in months. I was unable to attend the May and July meetings, and I feel out of touch with all of you. Family health issues took precedence, of course, and Jan and I thank all of you for your concern and kind thoughts. Fortunately, things are looking up, and I think the next trip we make to a hospital will be to welcome our first grandchild to this beautiful world. As I write this, I’m expecting the phone call from our daughter to tell us it’s time, so the next time I see you, I’ll be bragging about how beautiful my granddaughter is, so be prepared. I think a mini lathe makes a great baby gift, don’t you? Janice thinks a car seat and playpen are better choices, but she
doesn’t turn.

I hope all of you had a chance to attend the exhibition at the College of Lake County. It runs through August 8, so maybe there’s still time to make a trip to Grayslake. Carol Floate did a fantastic job of putting the show together, and she deserves hearty thanks for not only providing us with another venue to display our work, but also for promoting and exposing wood turning to the public. The pieces on display were diverse, beautiful, and well crafted. At the opening reception, I was watching the
non-turners as they viewed the gallery, and I noticed something very interesting:
Non-turners do not realize the technical skill required to create good turnings. One woman was admiring Glen McMurray’s fabulous trembleur, but she thought it was just beads glued on a long, skinny dowel! Once I explained the process to her, she was even more impressed. Just looking at the finish on Steve Sinner’s tall vase doesn’t convey the time and skill involved in hollowing a tall form. John O’Toole’s and Dan Anderson’s boxes are lovely to look at, but without picking one up and removing the lid, the fine craftsmanship goes unappreciated. Perhaps gallery guests should be required to pick each piece up, turn it over, feel the weight (or lack of), and view it from all angles to truly appreciate the craftsmanship involved. As more people are exposed to turning, and the more educated they are about the craft, the more they will appreciate the art.

The CLC show, and others like it, helps to bring turning to a wider audience, And I hope all of you will participate in and attend the many exhibitions, demonstrations and art fairs in the future. Promoting woodturning is good for you, the art, and the public.

Until August, turn lots, promote your art, be ready for baby pictures, and turn safely.

Paul Shotola
Email address: p.shotola@comcast.net

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Learn Steve Sinner’s hollowing techniques & other tips for turning at the August 23rd all day demonstration.

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See Fran Islin to sign up to be a demonstrator.

Mentors have indicated the skill level that they are comfortable teaching.
This is not the same as their personal skill level. Some mentors may charge for their services, and have indicated so by checking the “$” column.
To add your name to this list, contact Paul Shotola

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My journey to Puy St. Martin began in the summer of 2001 when I attended an eccentric turning class at the Arrowmont School of Crafts. At that time, instructor Jean-Francois Escoulen was just starting to organize the 2003 Woodturning Congress. Although still two years in the future, it sounded like an exciting event (and a good excuse to go to Europe) so I started contributing to my “France travel fund”. (I figured if I didn’t go to France, at least I’d have saved enough to purchase some more wood or some new turning tools.) The announcements about the event started arriving in the mail late last year and it was time to decide if I had enough saved in the travel fund, could get the time off from work, still had a valid passport, etc. I sent in my registration fee and started searching the internet for cheap airfares.

I arrived in Paris on the Thursday before the event and, having spent a few days there visiting all the major tourist sites, rented a car and headed South. I meandered along the back roads for several days (lost mostly) and arrived in Puy St. Martin early Wednesday morning (the first day of the Congress) to find last minute details being attended to by Jean-Francois and his team.

After registering for the conference and checking in at my Chambres d’hotes (bed and breakfast), I returned to Puy St. Martin just before the opening ceremony was about to start. The level of excitement was high as opening remarks were made by AFTAB President Alain Malland, Jean Francois Escoulen, and other dignitaries from the Village welcoming everyone to this year’s festivities. Following that, the mayor unlocked the door and the crowd of approximately 300 surged to enter the church; the site of an International Woodturner’s Exhibition. What brilliant work! There was a great variety of styles and ideas and all of a very high quality. I found myself returning there to view the work many times over the next few days. A special woodturning wine provided by the people of Puy St. Martin, Clairette des tourneuis, was served in the church courtyard as people socialized and new friendships were made.

At the first night’s meal, which was held in a large tent-like structure, I ran into Alan Kaplan, a cabinet maker from Virgina, who had attended Jean-Francois’ eccentric turning class at Arrowmont two years before. A contingent of Irish turners including demonstrator Emmet Kane joined us at our table and, with the wine flowing, you can imagine what a rowdy time we had. Also in attendance were six other members of the Chicago Woodturner’s club and their families. A very good showing for our club.

Over the next three days, 80 rotations in six venues were held. These consisted of slide shows, discussions, and demonstrations. Slide shows by Terry Martin, Ray Key, Richard Raffan, and Jacques Vesery focused on factors of good design while the demonstrations focused on techniques such as proper use of the tools (David Ellsworth and Phil Irons), texturing, coloring, piercing (Binh Pho, Emmet Kane, Betty Scarpino, Marc Ricourt), turning metal (G. Genesttier), turning soapstone (Francois Prudhomme), and ornamental turning (Dan MacDonald, C. Lethiecq). Volunteer interpreters were on hand to provide commentary in French or in English depending on the presenter. All in all, there was a very good cross section of topics.

The participants, who came from 14 different countries, soaked up the information and responded with their questions which were happily answered by the demonstrators (and often with the help of the translators and people in the crowd). No matter what language you spoke when you arrived in Puy St., Martin, ideas were able to be communicated, as for three days, everyone spoke the universal language of “wood”. Which is not to say it wasn’t humorous watching some of the charades and pantomimes, myself included, that were going on.

In addition to the International Exhibition in the church, several other exhibitions were on display. These included an instant gallery featuring the work of the participants and demonstrators and an ornamental turning exhibit. The work by students from lyce’e professionnel de Moirans en Montagne (a technical college) was displayed “open air” in the park adjacent to the town square. There was also a commercial trade show and a training center area offering information on woodturning classes throughout France. Several of the demonstrators taught three day courses before or after the event. Those all sold out quickly. Many were taught in the shops/garages of private homes throughout the village and required a bit of logistical magic to ensure adequate equipment was in place.

On Saturday night, an auction was held which raised several thousand euros for AFTAB. Emcee and head auctioneer, Terry Martin, worked to get the crowd going while other demonstrators acted as spotters. The bidding started slowly but ramped up as those unfamiliar with auctions quickly got the idea and joined in. It was fun to watch two bidders go back and forth over one piece for about 10 minutes. “Going Once! Going twice!” Just as Terry was about to yell SOLD!, the other bidder would up the bid by 5 euros.

On Sunday, the town of Puy St. Martin sponsored a wood market which was attended by an estimated 5500 people. The mess tent was transformed into a sales gallery with work in every price range and the village square was the site of turning demonstrations. Israeli turner Eli Abuhatzira turned spinning tops all day with the proceeds being donated to the AFTAB Education Fund. French turner Jean-Dominique Denis demonstrated on a pedal- powered lathe. If you were willing to pedal, he would turn a spinning top for you. This was a popular site for the youngsters. There was even a demonstration on a foot-powered pole lathe.

The organizers had booked entertainment for each night following dinner. One night we listened as a local a cappella choir sang American blues and gospel selections. It’s important to note that this group did not speak English or read music and had to learn the music by rote. I’m told they had been practicing for a year and it really showed. Another night, a rock band performed and there was dancing in the aisles until the
wee hours.

I found this event to have a certain intimacy that I have not experienced at larger symposia. There was a real sense of camaraderie and family at this event which helped everyone appreciate the work that much more. From the organizers, to the volunteers from throughout France, to the demonstrators and attendees, there was a real willingness to share ideas and help others learn. The number of demonstrators and rotations was just about right. There was only one rotation time at which I wanted to see four demonstrations at once and had to prioritize. At all the other times, it was easy to decide what to go see. Part of the appeal of this event was the opportunity to meet and really spend time with other turners from all over the world and to learn from some first-class professionals. Due to the size of the event (it was initially limited to 300 participants but 400 actually attended), there was more time for one-on-one conversations after the demonstrations, over dinner, or just over a beer on the town square. The professional turners were very generous with their time and we were able to get to know them beyond what we’ve read in the press. I spent several hours talking to Terry Martin one afternoon and found myself having an impromptu breakfast of pain au chocolate with Richard Raffin, Ray Key, Bonnie Klein and several others outside the Boulangerie one morning. Another time, with a steel drum concert in the background, Michael Hosaluk and I had an extended conversation about the factors that influence our designs. Jean-Francois’s shop just outside of town, Les Massots, was open much of the time and you could always find several demonstrators there who, despite working on something, were more than willing to stop and have a discussion with you. Needless to say, I made many new friends and came away with a lot of new ideas to try in my own turning.

Leaving Puy St. Martin on the Monday following the event, I stopped by Les Massots, to say good bye to Jean-Francios. Asked if he would be doing a third AFTAB Congress in 2006, he rolled his eyes and honestly said he did not know. Asked that same question after the first Congress held in 2000, I’m told his reply was “no way” so we will just have to wait and see. Keep in mind that organizing an event of this magnitude was a full time job for Jean-Francois and his team for most of the last two years. This has taken him (and them) out of the workshop and away from his primary goal of developing new ideas and creating new work. Ray Key mentioned in one of his presentations that his work was not where it could have been through the years because he had taken time to be a driving force in establishing the British turning organization. It’s important to recognize and appreciate the personal sacrifices these men have made in building the organizations and organizing the events that they have. I, for one, am hoping Jean-Francois can be talked into organizing a third Congress and have already started contributing to my travel fund…just in case.

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