Professional Outreach Program (POP)

About POP

Operating under the auspices of the AAW Board of Directors, the AAW’s Professional Outreach Program (POP) Committee fosters and promotes high standards of professionalism in woodturning through initiatives including POP Fellowship Grants, Merit Awards, Symposium Artist Showcase, exhibitions, galleries and POP Panel, to name a few.

All AAW members may participate in POP activities and initiatives. You do not have to be a professional woodturner to benefit from POP resources and programs.

Purpose

• Encourage and assist members of the woodturning community in the development of their professional skills. 
• Help advance and promote the woodturning field as a legitimate medium of art. 
• Generate ideas, concepts, and programs on subjects of a professional nature to benefit the woodturning community. 
• Organize exhibitions. 
• Conduct a variety of panel discussions of relevant topics on professionalism at AAW Symposiums. 
• Recognize individuals who have demonstrated high standards of professionalism throughout their careers.

The POP continues to evolve, refine, and expand upon the programs that it offers and is a very dynamic, ever changing entity of the AAW. If you have any questions, please contact the Chair of the POP Committee.

Funding

POP exhibit auctions and/or sales held at the AAW Annual Symposium to provide funding for all POP programs.

POP Panel Presentations

The POP presents an average of 11 rotations each year at the AAW's annual symposiums through what is called the POP Panels. These rotations can be presented in many forms, including panel discussions, slide presentations, lectures, even an open forum where the subjects discussed are introduced by the audience participants. No machines, methods, or techniques are involved.

Merit Awards

The POP offers Merit Awards to individuals selected by the Committee who have shown exceptional development in their careers as artists and whose artworks have directly influenced or had a significant impact on other artists within the field of woodturning. This award is distinct from the Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award given by the AAW because it focuses on artistic excellence. See past Merit Award recipients.

Artist Showcase

The POP Committee selects two or more artists for "Artist Showcase" recognition at the AAW Annual Symposium. They are (a) experienced artists who have made significant contributions to the woodturning field but have not received appropriate recognition or (b) emerging artists who have the potential for making significant contributions to the field. The Showcase awardees are selected from artist applications. There is no application fee.

Exhibitions

The POP committee produces an exciting exhibition and auction of small-scale sculptures each year at the AAW Annual Symposium. Artists participating in this exhibit are selected by the members of the POP Committee and from artists' applications, and the show represents both established and emerging national and international artists.  The works are on display at the AAW Gallery of Wood Art in the Spring before traveling to the Symposium, and a full-color catalog is published.  Income from the auction funds POP programming.

Instant Gallery Excellence Awards

The POP sponsors Instant Gallery Excellence Awards given to selected participants of the instant gallery at the AAW Annual Symposium.

Fellowship Grants

The POP gives Fellowship Grants of various amounts to individuals who apply for projects to encourage creative growth, research, or provide inspiration for new directions in turned wood art. Learn more and apply.