November 2007 AAW Board Letter

From Jean LeGwin...

Dear AAW Members,

SOFA
The November Board of Directors meeting was held in Chicago at the site of SOFA (Sculpture Objects and Functional Art), the world’s leading exposition devoted to contemporary decorative art and design. A record 34,000 attendees at the three-day show browsed the aisles populated by 100 galleries and dealers from 20 countries.

There were also 7 special exhibits including Israeli and Palestinian art on the theme of reconciliation, Australian contemporary ceramics, the contemporary furniture of John Makepeace, and Contemporary Furniture at Crabb Tree Farm.

Del Mano exhibited an extraordinary collection of wood art featuring many world-class woodturners from the U.S. and abroad. If the displays themselves were not enough to keep one busy, there were also 29 lecture presentations, several of them on wood art. It was a truly overwhelming event, one I would urge all who can to experience for themselves. There was much to admire and plenty to inspire!

The AAW once again had a presence at SOFA with a booth hosting the “Basic Black” exhibit which included pieces by Sharon Doughtie, Gorst duPlessis, Liam Flynn, Mark Gardner, Matthew Hill, Todd Hoyer, John Jordan, Mary McKinney, Betty Scarpino, David Sengel, Hayley Smith, Al Stirt, Jacques Vesery, and and Molly Winton. There was a gallery talk on the basic black theme presented by Irish turner Liam Flynn and Alan Lacer.

The AAW also sponsored one of the 29 lectures. Charlotte Brown, Director of the Gregg Museum of Art & Design from North Carolina State University in Raleigh gave a very personal and amusing critique of 27 pieces of contemporary woodturning.

On-Line Survey
We are running an on-line survey seeking comments and suggestions regarding American Woodturner.Please take a moment (well actually, about 10 minutes) to complete the survey and express your preferences for material that has been published and suggestions for what we can do better. This is your chance to make yourself heard on all the things you have wanted to say. What do you love about the journal? What do you hate? Do you have a terrific idea for an article? Let us hear about it! Send you ideas or written pieces to Carl Voss, the editor, at carlvoss@mac.com, or any board member.

Membership Drive
I’d like to remind everyone of the membership drive that we are running until the end of the year allowing an individual or a chapter to win a free registration to the 2008 symposium in Richmond. Sign up 5 new members by the end of the year and win one free registration. The new members names can be submitted by an individual or by a chapter. A chapter can use the registration as they wish; to raffle it off as a fund raiser, to give it to a deserving member, to have a drawing, or whatever works for the chapter. Details can be found by clicking here. Remember, there would be no local chapters without the AAW!

2008 Symposium in Richmond
We are expecting the 2008 symposium to be the best to date with expanded SIN (Special Interest Night) activities, more rotations than ever, and increased participation by our POP (Professional Outreach Program) members. The Resident Artists Program will also be a fascinating addition to the mix of activities. Attendees will be able to watch the creation of a complex piece from start-to-finish over several days.

Due to size limitations of the banquet facilities, attendance will be limited. Banquet tickets must be purchased separately from the registration, so if you wish to attend the banquet, sign up early.

Please feel free to address any concerns, questions or comments to any board member at any time. Our contacts information can be found here. Or to post them on the AAW's Forum. We want and need to hear what you think about your organization and publication!

Jean LeGwin
AAW Board Member