POP Panels for Portland Symposium

[Emiliano Achaval]

We are asking for some input to see what the membership would like to add, if any, to the POP panels for the AAW Portland Symposium. Every year, we have a lot of first-time attendees, so some of the panels have stayed due to popular demand. Such as photographing your work, pricing your work, developing signature work, ask us anything and using social media to promote.
Looking forward to hearing your input. Remember, this is your symposium; get involved. Thanks in advance.

 

[Russ Braun]

These are always great topics, they should continue. Perhaps mixing up the topic “experts” is a better way of dealing with the question. Since I suffer from CRS (can’t remember sheet), seeing John Beaver talk about photographing your work is always fresh and entertaining! I am one of those lucky ones!!

I am curious as to what percentage of our membership goes to multiple Symposia? I try to hit them all but is that more of an anomaly or am I in the majority? This might be a nonissue for most attendees.

 

[hockenbery]

am curious as to what percentage of our membership goes to multiple Symposia? I try to hit them all but is that more of an anomaly or am I in the majority? This might be a nonissue for most attendees.

I don’t have a feel for the post pandemic numbers.

I did some analysis on this years ago
Symposiums use to average around 9% of AAW membership attending. highest was around 12%
Each year about 40% of the attendees were first time attendees.

Somewhere around 200 would be at 5 in a row. I knew from the names that a 1/3 of those had a trade show connection some years but then that’s sort of something you fall into when a friend asks so most of those 60 would be there without the trade show gig.

 

[Russ Braun]

I don’t have a feel for the post pandemic numbers.

I did some analysis on this years ago
Symposiums use to average around 9% of AAW membership attending. highest was around 12%
Each year about 40% of the attendees were first time attendees.

Somewhere around 200 would be at 5 in a row. I knew from the names that a 1/3 of those had a trade show connection some years but then that’s sort of something you fall into when a friend asks so most of those 60 would be there without the trade show gig.

For me, connecting with the great woodturning community is what drives me to AAW Symposia. What a fantastic group of like minded (but all over the board) people we have to rub elbows with! Having woodturning unite us is a breath of fresh air in this ever increasing fractured society; dare I say “It’s a Sanctuary” from the outside world…….like being at the lathe!

 

[hockenbery]

For me, connecting with the great woodturning community is what drives me to AAW Symposia.

For me too and many of my freinds. This brings up one of the issues AAW struggles with.

Too few of the AAW members have a sense of belonging to the community you describe and belonging to AAW.
The vast majority of AAW members “belong” only to a local club and AAW is a magazine the get 6 times a year not a community.

 

[Russ Braun]

For me too and many of my freinds. This brings up one of the issues AAW struggles with.

Too few of the AAW members have a sense of belonging to the community you describe and belonging to AAW.
The vast majority of AAW members “belong” only to a local club and AAW is a magazine the get 6 times a year not a community.

It’s not cheap to go to a Symposium; it’s not getting cheaper either! I will ride that horse as long as I can and I will be looking for you in Portland Al! The feeling of brother/ sisterhood in the woodturning world is second to none!!

 

[Kevin Jesequel]

I very much enjoy attending the panel discussions. The panel this year on demonstrating was very good and well attended even though it was the last rotation of the symposium.

 

[Val Henschel]

We are asking for some input to see what the membership would like to add, if any, to the POP panels for the AAW Portland Symposium. Every year, we have a lot of first-time attendees, so some of the panels have stayed due to popular demand. Such as photographing your work, pricing your work, developing signature work, ask us anything and using social media to promote.
Looking forward to hearing your input. Remember, this is your symposium; get involved. Thanks in advance.

A sanding basics and tips might be good. Many beginners have no clue.

 

[Donna Banfield]

Symposium attendees who attend the POP Presentations are usually beyond the beginning/intermediate stages of their turning journey. My personal experience, I tend to focus more on the Panel Discussions, and less on the demonstrations, only because I am already working in a very specific area - that's my niche. If I attend a demo, it is because it covers a topic I'm already doing and am interested in how that person is working; their tool usage, demonstration techniques, etc.

However, a topic that could benefit many attendees regardless of skill level, is FORM. What makes a good form, why, and how to achieve it while still turning/making it on the lathe. There are several AAW members who could be tapped to discuss this topic. This could/should be a regular POP Presentation topic at EVERY Symposium, IMHO.

 

[Michael Anderson]

Something potentially useful for the POP Panel to discuss is navigating the gallery scene. Possibly also including the differences between now and the past, and things to consider when contracting with gallery. For example, damage incidents, non-compete clauses, product ownerships, payment/commission options, etc…

 

[Russ Braun]

Symposium attendees who attend the POP Presentations are usually beyond the beginning/intermediate stages of their turning journey. My personal experience, I tend to focus more on the Panel Discussions, and less on the demonstrations, only because I am already working in a very specific area - that's my niche. If I attend a demo, it is because it covers a topic I'm already doing and am interested in how that person is working; their tool usage, demonstration techniques, etc.

However, a topic that could benefit many attendees regardless of skill level, is FORM. What makes a good form, why, and how to achieve it while still turning/making it on the lathe. There are several AAW members who could be tapped to discuss this topic. This could/should be a regular POP Presentation topic at EVERY Symposium, IMHO.

I have attended rotations with Jacques Vesery and Curt Theobald; the three I have seen were outstanding. The challenge I see is they were all Form 201 or 301. I think many attendees could use the introductory Form 101. Sometime our demonstrations forget the elementary, base subjects; perhaps leaving these for the club level interactions.

My first Symposia were my initial interaction with other turners; there was no club setting for me. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one either. Perhaps I’m the only one who is challenged by watching long YouTube videos.

Here’s a Russ Braun tip: These are not the rotations to attend after lunch during digestion mode; I find myself having to stand up in the back to keep from snoring, haha!!

On a different note, basic finishes is a category that would be helpful. Say quick, easy water based poly high gloss finishes or techniques on how not to polish/ sand through finishes, or using grain fillers. If it sounds like I could use some help, I’m getting through to you all, woohoo!!

I suggest Pete Marken and Robin Costelle for a finishing demonstration tandem. They are dangerously entertaining meaning you’ll never want it to end; it might just shut the Symposium down!!

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

However, a topic that could benefit many attendees regardless of skill level, is FORM. What makes a good form, why, and how to achieve it while still turning/making it on the lathe. There are several AAW members who could be tapped to discuss this topic. This could/should be a regular POP Presentation topic at EVERY Symposium, IMHO.

I agree a thousand percent. Most all of us could use help with form and design. All too often I'm seeing turned object with perfection in the turning process, no tear outs, no sanding marks, an excellent finish, but the gawd awful design sometimes overrules those.

 

[Kalia Kliban]

Something potentially useful for the POP Panel to discuss is navigating the gallery scene. Possibly also including the differences between now and the past, and things to consider when contracting with gallery. For example, damage incidents, non-compete clauses, product ownerships, payment/commission options, etc…

My club recently had a really interesting discussion on different ways to market our work. We had (I think) 5 different folks, each of whom sold their work in a different way. I was representing the co-op gallery niche, another person did consignment, another wholesale, another only seasonal sales, yet another does the farmer's market route, and we also discussed online markets like Etsy (though our main Etsy-using member wasn't there). There are a lot more avenues than just gallery sales, and it's helpful to hear about the ups and downs of all of them.

 

[Michael Anderson]

That’s pretty cool Kalia. Good for your club—I’m sure it was super interesting to hear everyone’s perspective. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Aaron Gesicki]

My club recently had a really interesting discussion on different ways to market our work. We had (I think) 5 different folks, each of whom sold their work in a different way. I was representing the co-op gallery niche, another person did consignment, another wholesale, another only seasonal sales, yet another does the farmer's market route, and we also discussed online markets like Etsy (though our main Etsy-using member wasn't there). There are a lot more avenues than just gallery sales, and it's helpful to hear about the ups and downs of all of them.

For consignment sales, all should be aware of the laws in your state. Some states actually have regulations pertaining to responsibilities of consignees, holding them liable for damages and/or phantom loss.

 

[David Flicker]

This will be my first AAW symposium and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve attended SWAT s number of times but I expect this to be at a whole other level.