AAW Magazine

[John Sincerbeaux]

As a new woodturner, I always look forward to reading the AAW Woodturning magazine when it arrives. But, I have found that most of the articles and galleries are a way over the top for me. I find that many times when I look at the objects, I would have never guessed they were created on a lathe? I realize that every hobby, or every sport has a magazine that has articles of people who push the limits of their interest and I am all for that. But after I read through the AAW magazine, I always ask myself the same question... "Is this what mainstream woodturners are doing?"
not trying to sound negative, I am just curious if this magazine is really pertinent to the majority of the AAW?

[David Heathcote]

You're certainly not the first person to have that feeling.
Some few years ago a bunch of AAW turners became so disenchanted with what they were calling the "artsy" aspect of what many modern turners are doing that they took off and founded an entirely new organization dedicated to the "brown and round" sensibilities. It was call the Association of Traditional Woodturners or something like that. That's not exactly right, but whatever. They wanted to get back to some kind of idea they had about "purity" in the craft, I guess.
They declined to show any work that was painted or otherwise embellished, either on or off the lathe. I can't find anything online about them now, so I'm thinking it just never got traction and faded away, but maybe someone has more up to date info on it.

Anyway, the woodturning community is both miles wide and miles deep. There are plenty of turners cranking out utilitarian pieces without any, or very much, additional process other than just the turning. Many turners think of what they do as being closer to "craft" than "art". Some enjoy the work of those who are pushing the limits and some maybe not so much.

It's a diverse activity. The concerns of a production turner cranking out salad sets and pepper grinders to pay the bills are always going to be different than a weekend hobby turner who has a "real job" and maybe sells a few pieces to help feed their tool addiction, and different again from a turner with an arts background who's looking at turning as one process among many as a means to explore emotional expression. There's no small number of artist who might think of themselves as primarily sculptors, but who use turned elements in their assemblies.
My own work is not especially "artsy", but I've learned a lot about form and proportion and visual expression and design from those whose work is anything but traditional.

It's all good, I reckon.

[Reed Gray]

I can see some merit in the magazine, but kind of like most of what Lady Gaga does (her duet album with Tony Bennett is incredible, who knew she could really sing) it is over my head. I read most of what interests me in about 10 minutes. Woodturning Design filled the hole for most of the rest of the turners, but now it is gone. It needs to be resurrected.

robo hippy

[Mike Tilley]

I agree with Reed I'am not a member of AAW but I used to buy the magazine at Barnes and noble.
For what I was interested in it only took a very short time to read I and the cost just wasn't worth it.
whereas woodturning design would keep my interest almost all the way through the magazine with no problem.
I think hobby turners like projects that can be completed in a short period of time and the results are right there.
Just my thoughts.

[Bob Mezzatesta]

I have to agree. Even Fine Woodworking has gone beyond what mere mortals are capable of building. There seems to be a wide gap between the basic and the exotic in all types of woodworking. Try a local Woodturning club. Mine seems to cover all abilities and sensibilities.
Bob

[Dale Gillaspy]

I don't know, I can find beginners articles in every issue. Seems like they are doing a pretty good job of trying to be all things to all people. There are also tons of beginner resources online at the AAW website that are free with your membership.

[Thom Sturgill]

While there is still an 'art' aspect to the mag, it would not represent the full spectrum if there weren't. I think they heard the complaints as this years issues contained more beginner and intermediate type projects and tips. I do agree that Woodturning Design filled a needed niche and its disappearance was not a function of its failure but rather the failure of the parent company.

[John Keeton]

I find the magazine a bit too much on the sculptural side, but the AAW is also doing a lot with its fundamental resources that address much more of the funtional aspects of turning. I do think they are trying very hard to address the masses as much as possible. I will say that while it only takes me a few minutes to go thru the online magazine, I usually get an idea or two. While I am not into the sculptural thing, there is always the little technique ideas, the colorization, and other transferable ideas. It is hard to be all things to all people, but unlike FWW, the AAW does have other periodical downloads, etc., that are more of interest to the bulk of turners.

The reality is that there are not enough turners to provide a market for the various niches. Unlike NASCAR, athletic sports, and other broad segments of our hobby/entertainment spectrum, there are probably less than 40,000 active turners in the country. Many of those turn bowls, etc., and just do not have the need nor desire to explore other aspects of turning, or to get into the "art" aspect. The AAW has about 15,000 members. It takes a much larger market base to support a publication. With the dues paid to AAW, I think they do a pretty good job. The lack of a larger potential subscriber base may have been a factor in the demise of Woodturning Design.

[carl mesaros]

My feelings have been expressed in many of the above threads. I occasionally buy American Woodturner but usually there's just not much that peaks my interest.
Woodturning Design I truly miss.
(Reed I agree the Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett Cd is great)

[Jason Edwards]

John, I'd suggest you also post this on the AAW forum, the folks over there might learn something from the discussion.

[Marvin Hasenak]

John, I'd suggest you also post this on the AAW forum, the folks over there might learn something from the discussion.

That has been done before, even the dead horse didn't listen. I used to recommend AAW to new woodturners, after a few complaints that they felt it was wasted money, I quit recommending they join. The public library is better and it is free. I don't even belong, the art isn't my thing.

[Robert Willing]

Our turning club requires that we belong for insurance purposes such as if you want to host what we call shop crawls. I think it is over the top requirement, that means $30.00 club dues plus $55.00 AAW.

[J.D.Redwine]

[QUOTE=.

there are probably less than 40,000 active turners in the country[/QUOTE]

Does this number include hobbyists?

[Bob Rotche]

Personally, I love American Woodturner and anxiously await every issue. I think they do a good job covering the various areas of turning and as John Keeton correctly points out, there is a wealth of information available to members on the AAW website particularly focused on beginner and more traditional projects. What excites me about the magazine is seeing all the innovative and creative things folks are doing with woodturning that are not easily seen elsewhere. There is no end to the variety of books, videos, etc readily available that are focused on the basics. Anyone interested in woodturning would find AAW membership to be an incredible bargain if they took advantage of all the material they have online.

[Mike Peace]

I think John Keeton has pointed out one of the significant advantages of belonging to AAW that is easily overlooked. And that is the bi monthly digital magazine focused on novice turners. You can't please everyone with every article. I can say that American Woodturner has published six articles of mine in their print edition, all focused at the novice turner. Membership also provides access to all of the back issues in digital form. That is a huge resource!

[Scott Hackler]

I think the Journal definitely has a lean towards the non-utilitarian / craft show items, but only in it's "Artist Showcase" and "Gallery" sections. I lean heavy towards the art side, but still make bowls and pens and such. Having said that, I don't want to see a magazine that only (or mostly) covers bowls, rolling pins and candle sticks. I don't get inspired looking at those items, but I do find my internal light bulb going off when a "gallery level" piece is showcased. The ideas and forms that new artists come up with really make me want to explore my own pieces.

We have also seen some of our local club members exiting the AAW over the membership fees. Most are folks that don't or won't demonstrate, so the insurance aspect doesn't matter to them. I joined and continue to be a member for that reason, the discounted registration fee for the symposiums (when I can go), the Journal and the possibility of entering a piece for one or more of their juried exhibits. $55 isn't a deal breaker for me (one dinner for two at a decent steak house).

[Andy Pogue]

Interesting conversation, it shows the power of free speech. Hopefully, we will have both resources for a long time!

[Wally Dickerman]

The AAW isn't just a magazine. I'm a charter member of AAW. I joined in the very beginning. When the AAW was formed in 1986 there were many woodworkers clubs but almost no clubs for just woodturners. Now there are over 300 AAW chapters (clubs) here and abroad. I have belonged to several clubs and helped to form three of them, The AAW gives new chapters guidelines on things such as by-laws etc. If you belong to a turners club chances are good that it's an AAW chapter. The benefits are many. Inexpensive insurance for clubs, a youth program, scholarships, and an annual symposium that has grown tremendously since the first one in 1987, If you are ever able to attend one you'll be amazed. The instant gallery with perhaps 1500 turned pieces, some works of art and many simple bowls and spindle turnings. The trade show is simply great. All of the major manufacturers and many small ones along with some of the larger suppliers to the public. Both of these are open to the public at no charge. There are always up to 25 expert turners demonstrating everything from simple bowls and hollow forms to various turned art work.

I would think that almost any turner is interested in what other turners are doing. Sure, every issue of American Woodturner has some art work but every one also has something for the beginner. To be a successful publication the magazine has to have something for everyone.
I'm sure that there are a great many occasional turners who are only interested in making candy dishes and candlestick for Christmas presents. The American Woodturner just might not be for them.

[John Thorson]

The gap in the AAW magazine as I see it is the art is give the majority of the photo spread and the education is on the fundamentals. I can pull out Richard Raffan's "The Art of Turning Bowls" and with get more of an understanding of 'how' and 'why' behind a variety of bowl types including his more artistic pieces (which are still at their heart turnings and not sculpture). There are ways to deliver meaningful content for all audiences and I do wish that they would put more substance behind the eye-candy.

[charlie knighton]

I look forward to AW......see what other turners are doing....it is a great accomplishment for a turner to have an articule or a turned piece included in the magazine.....to have the cover or back page sort of like looking into the sky and seeing orion....lotss of folks can see it and be awed

[Dale Gillaspy]

Robert Willing, I'm in the Insurance and Risk Management field, and just one claim from a turning injury would far outweigh the dues paid to the national from each of your club members combined. Our club has a requirement that anyone who demonstrates must be a member of the national. A moderate medical claim could easily top $250,000. I've heard all the "it's not going to happen to me", and "I turn safely and wear appropriate protective equipment" stuff.....nuff said.

The magazine is not the only benefit of membership.

[Steve Schlumpf]

John, I would like to get back to your original question concerning the American Woodturner magazine: "Is this what mainstream woodturners are doing?"

In my opinion, the magazine showcases a lot of different aspects of the turning field because you just never know what will inspire the reader. I have been turning for 10 years, and while teaching myself how to turn, have created numerous items ranging from utilitarian to art. The one thing that I think most of us have in common is that once you progress past the beginner stage, you really become aware of what the lathe – and you - can do. The magazine offers inspiration to those of us looking past what we can create today and it also offers instruction for those not quite ready to make that journey. Plus I find it really cool to see all sorts of online friends in the articles! The turning world is a small one but is growing all the time! :D

If you are already a member of the AAW, then I highly suggest you take advantage of all the online information available to you. If you are not a member, then I strongly recommend becoming one as the organization promotes woodturning, safety, education and camaraderie.

[Jeffrey J Smith]

Well I, for one, look forward to every issue. As a part-timer hobbiest, I can only aspire to achieve the skills and techniques some of the pieces that are presented there require, but it stimulates me to learn and attempt to develop those skills so I can use them in my own work. I've subscribed to both Woodturning Design (now defunct) and Woodturning (the UK publication) magazines, but found myself only mildly interested in most of the projects presented. I still get Woodturning and do look through each issue, but its the AAW Journal that I save to refer back to over and over again.

As has been mentioned the AAW is much more than just the Journal, but for me, the Journal is an invaluable asset that makes the dues more than worth the cost of membership.