turning on a lathe

About Front Range Woodturners

We are the Denver area chapter of the AAW (American Association of Woodturners) serving woodturners throughout Colorado’s Front Range.

Our Meetings

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:15 to 9:00 PM in the basement of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. Visitors are welcome to join us at one of our meetings to see what we are all about.

Upcoming Demonstrations

June – Pat Carroll (from Ireland) – Pot with 3 legs

We’re very excited to have Pat Carroll from Ireland join us this month!  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a true artist up close and personal.  Pat is one of the featured demonstrators at the AAW International Symposium, and we’re glad he could stop by while in the US.
 
“Working as a builder/carpenter I have always loved working with wood. In 2002 I took my first woodturning class and was very quickly hooked. Been keen to try every type of woodturning I found myself drawn to hollow forms. The sense of achievement from creating large forms made this a very enjoyable craft. With the influence of many great artists I am keen to explore the combination of texture and colour into my work today.”
 
Pat’s specialties are Bowls, Boxes, Carving, Color and texture, Decorative, Embellishment, Finials, Functional, Hollow Forms, Hollow Forms (undefined), Multi-Axis, Natural edge turning, Ornaments, and Platters.
 
Pat is well known for his Erosion Series where most of the wood is cut away and the remaining surface is carved, textured, and then reactive metal paint is applied to simulate a worn and rusted surface.

 

July – Carl Jacobson

 

Demonstrators scheduled for this year:

Aug – Dan Swaim – Stave Vessels
Sep – Tom Wirsing – Platters
Oct – TBD
Nov – Rebecca DeGroot
Dec – Holiday Party

April 2024 – Keith Gotschall
May 2024 – Matt Monaco

Member Benefits

  • Library – The Front Range Woodturners has an extensive collection of books, magazines, and videos available for members to check out at no cost.
  • Demonstrations – Each monthly meeting features an exciting demo given by one of our club members or a professional turner. When available we also offer a full day hands-on class with these renowned turners at a nominal cost.
  • Wood Raffle – Members can bring some of their excess wood to a meeting to be raffled off.  You can never have too much wood!
  • Group Buy – Do you want to save money?  We have vendor discounts with Internet suppliers, local suppliers, tool and steel suppliers and wood suppliers. Through our deals with these vendors our members can easily earn back the cost of membership!
  • Ladies of the Lathe – All female members of the FRW, aged 18 or older, are invited to join the Ladies of the Lathe. LOTL is intended to provide a comfortable, easy-paced, and non-threatening environment for women to learn and advance their skills in turning.
  • Mentoring – Members have access to several programs to help increase their woodturning skills. Group sessions are held monthly and one-on-one mentoring on various topics can be arranged with experienced FRW volunteers.
  • PHEOG – The Pete Holtus Educational Opportunity Grant program provides grant money to members through an application process. Applicants may request money for woodturning related classes, workshops, or symposium fees.

Special Notices

  • Wearing masks at meetings is optional.

Upcoming Events


  • AAW 37th International Symposium
    in Louisville, Kentucky from June 1-4, 2023. Over 80 demonstrations to choose from, a huge Instant Gallery, and of course the Vendor Trade area! Register before May 1st to get a discount.
    www.woodturner.org
  • Get ready for our Summer BBQ
    As June 24th draws closer a sign up sheet will be emailed to members (so we know how much food to buy).
  • Rocky Mountain Woodturning Symposium
    After being cancelled the past 3 years due to COVID, it’s back!

    The 21st RMWT Symposium in Loveland, CO runs from September
    15-17, 2023.

    Registration is open with early bird pricing through May 31st. Your registration includes a symposium
    T-Shirt, Friday meet-and-greet picnic, and Sunday lunch.
    www.rmwoodturningsymposium.com

  • Get Ready for SWAT! 

The Southwest Association of Turners (SWAT) holds one of the largest woodturning symposiums in the world.

The Symposium features demonstrations from nationally and internationally recognized turners, as well as outstanding regional turners selected from participating clubs and throughout the country.

2023 will be our 31st Symposium, held August 25-27th at the Waco Convention Center in Waco, Texas.

The SWAT Symposium will offer something for every level of wood turner and their spouse.

Registration is now open, early bird pricing through July 31st.
www.swaturners.org/

Upcoming Events

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