The AAW has a long history of highly-acclaimed symposiums - dating back to 1987 - featuring turners and collectors from around the world, all gathering for 3 days of demonstrations and exhibits showcasing the art and craft of woodturning.
The 26th international symposium was held in San José CA, June 8-10, 2012, at the San José Convention & Cultural Facilities ... McEnery Convention Center, part of San José One Connection.
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The symposium is open to anyone with an interest in woodturning. Full registration fee includes demonstrations, panel discussions, the Instant Gallery, tradeshow, special exhibitions, auctions, and membership for non-members. Want to learn more? Here's a great video that explains it all ... |
Images from previous symposiums ...
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Volunteer Thank You's
After the San José symposium, we must take a moment to thank everyone who helped make it a great success. Congratulations to all for a job well done. The list of volunteers is impressive ...
Jim Abreu |
Tom Cour |
Ileane Hassel |
Joe Marshall |
Cindy Sing |
2012 Chapter Collaborative Challenge Winners
The AAW congratulates these CCC winners, chosen by attendees at the 2012 symposium. Click on the thumbnail for a full image.
Fantasy Tennessee Assn of Woodturners "Nashville Has Rhythm"  |
Artistic Wine Country Woodturners "Picnic in the Woods"  |
Technical Beaver State Woodturners "Kraft Wagon"  |
Best of Show Wine Country Woodturners "Picnic in the Woods" |
2012 Lathe Drawing Winners
| Powermatic Brian Williamson Claremont CA |
Mini-Jet Ed Larson Truckee CA |
2012 Best Newsletters and Best Websites
The 2012 Award Winners have been announced for the Best Newsletters and Best Websites. These chapters were recognized at the Saturday banquet.
| 2012 Best Newsletters 1. Finger Lakes Woodturners 2. San Diego Woodturners 3. Woodturners Guild of Ontario |
2012 Best Websites 1. South Puget Sound Woodturners 2. Great Plains Woodturners of Lincoln Nebraska 3. Fraser Valley Woodturners Guild |
On the schedule for the 26th International Symposium ...
Faculty
Rotations
Exhibits & Galleries
Emerging Artists
Trade Show
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Panel Discussions
Craft Room
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Special Interest Night
Special Features
Youth Program
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Demonstrations & Schedules
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The rotation schedule (the "grid") has been updated as of May 30, 2012.
Use the Symposium Planning Guide to
help plan your trip
in advance ...
- San José will feature a lineup of more than 85 demonstrators and panelists.
- View a list of demonstrations and panel discussions.
- Four Emerging Artists (sponsored by the Professional Outreach Program) will provide special demonstrations during the symposium - David Earle, Rudolph Lopez, Elizabeth Lundburg, and Lynne Yamaguchi.
Exhibits & Galleries
- Instant Gallery - an eclectic collection of items brought by attendees. It is the largest display of turned-wood objects shown under one roof, an amazing showcase of interesting and varied work.
- "Beyond Containment" - the theme of this year's Professional Outreach Program exhibit, with the challenge to think beyond the expected, to step outside the physical and metaphorical restraints of turning. "Beyond Containment" is the 6th in an exhibition series created by the POP. As in past years, the pieces will auctioned on Sunday, and proceeds will help to support POP initiatives, including the Instant Gallery awards and panel presentations. View the online catalog.
- "Walk in the Woods" - View the online gallery. This year's juried member show features works by more than 30 AAW members. It reflects a wide range of styles and approaches and offers a glimpse into the creative workings of the woodturning mind. The theme was chosen in honor of the many trees and forests of California, but artists were free to interpret the title for themselves. The exhibition offers a "walk" through a forest of different species, concepts, and techniques.
- Richard Raffan Retrospective - The POP Merit award is given to an artist whose body of work has contributed significantly to the growth of woodturning as an art form. The 2012 recipient is Richard Raffan, one of the best known, most respected, and influential turners in the world. This award is both a timely recognition of his own contribution to the field and an acknowledgement that a person who has devoted their life to turning as a craft can make as significant a contribution as those more celebrated for their artistic contributions.
Youth Program
San José marks the 8th year that youths age 10 to 18 who attend the symposium with a registered adult receive a free registration and may attend special youth classes. This year, two demonstrations geared especially to youths are included in the program. This year’s faculty includes named turners and scores of assistants. Those interested in assisting should check in at the volunteer area during registration or at the classroom once the symposium begins. This is a great opportunity to involve our young people in the exciting field of woodturning.
Demos this Year - Because there are times when the kids are not participating in hands-on classes, we wanted to provide some demos just for them. These will consist of a variety of quick projects, some fun techniques, and an opportunity to observe their instructors doing some more turning at the lathe. Bring your questions and your curiosity. We hope to provide lots of fun and inspiration! Participants are encouraged to attend any demonstration as they wish.
Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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Craft Room
Those not attending the demonstrations may enjoy a wide variety of craft activities ...
Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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Registration
General Public - At no charge and without registering, the General Public is invited to attend a variety of special exhibits, the tradeshow, and the Educational Opportunity Grant (EOG) auction.
Members - Attendance to demonstrations, panel discussions, and the Saturday Night Banquet is reserved for AAW members only. The banquet requires a ticket, but after the banquet, the doors will be opened to the public, so galleries and collectors who may not want to attend other symposium functions can bid on EOG auction items.- Non-members - Become a member today and then proceed to symposium registration (in the left menu bar). Alternatively, download this form.
- Members - Please login to the members' area and then proceed to symposium registration (in the left menu bar). Alternatively, download this form.
- Youths - Ages 10-18. Must be accompanied by a registered adult. Includes a one-year online membership. Registration form. Parental Waiver.
- Technical and Vocational Education Teachers - AAW Membership is required, but the symposium registration fee (not including banquet ticket) will be waived upon request. A technical and vocational education teacher is defined as one who works in these fields full time in an accredited public or private grade school, junior high or high school, technical school, or college. If you qualify, please call the AAW office at 651-484-9094 to register.
Registration Fees
Members |
Non-members* |
Spouses | Banquet | Cancellation Fees | Youths** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| After May 15, 2012 | $300 |
$360 |
$150 |
$65 |
no refund |
n/c |
| After May 28, 2012 & on-site | $350 |
$410 |
$150 |
$75 |
n/c |
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| *Includes a 1-year membership. | ||||||
| **Must be accompanied by a registered adult. Includes a 1-year online membership. Registration form. Parental Waiver. | ||||||
Accommodations and Lodging
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San José Marriott, 301 South Market Street, San José, 408.280.1300. Rooms are available June 4-12 at the special $129 room rate. This rate is offered until May 16 or until the block is sold out. Make your reservation at the San José Marriott. |
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Hilton San José, 300 Almaden Boulevard, San José, 408.287.2100. Room rate is $129 if reserved between June 4-12. This rate is offered until May 16 or until the block is sold out. Make your reservation at the Hilton San José. |
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Conference Center Hotel Hyatt, 282 Almaden Boulevard, San José, 408.998.0400. The rate is $125 for a room between June 4-12. This rate is offered until May 16 or until the block is sold out. |
RV Parks
| TrailerTel RV Park 1212 Oakland Rd San José, CA 95112 408-453-3535 http://www.trailertel.net/ About 6 miles north |
Coyote Valley RV Resort 9750 Monterey Rd San José, CA 95037 408-463-8400 http://www.coyotevalleyresort.com/home.html About 17 miles south |
Trade Show and Vendor Information
Vendor check-in, Thursday, 8a to 7p.
Download the current vendor list (pages 10-11).
If you have any questions about the tradeshow, please contact the conference coordinator:
AAW Tradeshow Management
c/o Complete Conference Coordinators
630-637-8100
info@cccmeetings.com
Shipping
Again this year, UPS will be available to handle any boxes you want to send to it for the symposium. Deliveries will be accepted after June 1.
Before you ship - Contact Manjula Kanukuntla for additional instructions.
The UPS Store #5199
88 S. 3rd Street
San Jose, CA 95121
408-293-9803 phone
408-293-9805 fax
theupsstorelocal.com/5199
The fee for accepting and storing your packages will be $5 per package per day. Then the packages will be available for pick-up in the Tradeshow area after 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 7. Identification will be required to pick up your package. Also, a $10 per customer fee will be charged for transport to the Convention Center.
To ship boxes home - UPS will have a kiosk in the Tradeshow during the symposium and at the auction Saturday night for your convenience.
Instant Gallery
If you are registered for the Symposium, you are encouraged to bring up to 3 of your best pieces to add to the excitement (demonstrators may submit 6 pieces). You have the option to sell your work while it is on display. While at the Instant Gallery, vote for your favorite chapter collaborative challenge project.
Chapter Collaborative Challenge
- Rules for the 2012 Chapter Collaborative Challenge are featured in the October 2011 issue of American Woodturner, page 13.
- Learn how to organize a successful chapter collaborative project (American Woodturner, October 2010, pages 10-13).
Empty Bowls" - the ReTurn to the Community Charity Donations
- AAW's ReTurn to the Community exhibition is "Empty Bowls: A Grassroots Movement to Help End Hunger." The goal of Empty Bowls is to raise money to help fight hunger and raise awareness about the issue of hunger and food security. This year's effort will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
- Members, to purchase tickets for Empty Bowls, login to the members' area and click on "Symposium Registration."
- If you are unable to bring your dontations of Empty Bowls with you to the symposium, you may ship them in advance (to arrive by June 7) to David Vannier, 14776 Via de Marcos, Saratoga CA 95070 (408-741-8365). Please contact him with an idea of what to expect, when, so he's watching for your package(s).
Great Things To Do in San José
View the AAW-sponsored tours. Additionally ...
- Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
- Tech Museum
- Winchester Mystery House
- San José Institute of Contemporary Art
- Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
- San José Museum of Quilts & Textiles
- J. Lohr Winery