Carson Valley Woodturners
History
Revised: July 2021
The Carson Valley Woodturners was formed in 2006 by a small group of turners who had a desire to learn and share the art and craft of woodturning. Dave Rich, our first president, was a member of a woodturning club in southern California before moving to Nevada and was the moving force behind getting the club going. Dave met Al Mason selling some of his turnings and they struck up a conversation regarding the forming of a woodturning club in the Carson Valley. Ads were placed in the local paper resulting in four turners showing up for the first meeting. Dave was elected the President, Wayne Allen Vice President, Dave Colon Treasurer and Al Mason Secretary. From the original four members the club has grown substantially and continues to grow. The club provides a forum for those interested in woodturning and welcomes all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. The club is associated with the American Association of Woodturners.
In June of 2008 the club began publishing a monthly newsletter. Newsletter is provided via email to all club members and to other individuals in the area who are interested in woodturning.
The Carson Valley Woodturners with the assistance of member Don McRoberts established the Carsonvalleywoodturners.com website. Don maintains the website and keeps it up to date with input from our members and posts the monthly newsletter.
The club uses audio-visual equipment to display what is being demonstrated at our monthly meeting on a large screen TV. The club has an extensive DVD lending library that is available to members.
To make the community aware of our woodturning club and to increase our membership, the club participates in at least one local craft fair each year. Income from craft fairs, member dues and other revenue goes toward purchasing and maintaining the club's equipment and other expenses.
The club holds a regular monthly meeting on the second Saturday of each month and a hands-on workshop session on the fourth Saturday. Meetings are held at the Douglas County Community Center. The hands-on workshop is a great opportunity for members to learn and share techniques and maybe try a particular tool before investing in one. The club has a variety of tools that can be used by members at the hands-on sessions.
We have monthly demonstrations by club members on topics from turning fundamentals to the latest tools and innovations. To keep our members up to date on what is happening in the woodturning world we attempt at least twice a year to bring in nationally or internationally known woodturners to present programs to our members.
The club has acquired wood from individuals in the Carson Valley, and established contacts with local arborist and in California where we are able to get wood for our members. The club members cut and seal the wood for future use. The wood is made available at a nominal cost to members, offered as raffle prizes at club meetings, and used for club members to turn items for craft fairs. The club keeps a supply of wood on hand and normally has several regional varieties available.
Annual dues are $80.00, payable at the first of each year. For those who are not interested in paying the yearly dues, there is a $10.00 charge per meeting.
The Carson Valley Woodturners are proud to be able to provide a place in the Carson Valley where individuals interested in woodturning can get together to improve and share their turning skills. |
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