Demonstrator question

Dixie Biggs was great

Dick Coers

She was the last touring pro our club had, very enjoyable, she knows how to teach.

Re: Dixie Biggs was great

Jim Barbour

Thanks Dick. She is really something. We had her as a headliner in 2015 and JoAnn and I were fortunate enough to host her. She is not only a fine turner and demonstrator, she is a remarkably enjoyable person as well.

Mark StLeger but then you probably know that

Re: Mark StLeger but then you probably know that

Jim Barbour

Mark does a fine demo, and is good company as well - one is more important but having both is certainly a plus. He was at our first symposium several years back and it may be time to bring him in for a refresher. Thanks for the recommendation

Stuart Batty

Matt

He changed the way I turn for the better. He gives you the principles behind his technique too.

Re: Stuart Batty

Jim Barbour

Thanks Matt. Stuart is an excellent teacher, and on the top of everyone's list. Several folk have recommended him.

very few disappointments

Geoff Whaling

Over 10 years I have seen quite a number of great demonstrators at Turnfest in Australia and also in NZ. I have had very few disappointments but there is always something to learn. Usually the issue was not so much the demonstrator but more about poor preparation by either the club, the demonstrator or both. At times it was something outside their control such as illness or an airline loosing their gear.

Any of the established demonstrators are a given but some of the "emerging demonstrators" such as Chris Pytlik, Cynthia Carden-Gibson, Derek Wiedmann would be a great pickup.

Re: very few disappointments

Jim Barbour

Thanks Geoff. Those three names keep popping up. There is a lot of information in that fact.

Kip Christensen *LINK*

David Walser

Kip teaches at Brigham Young University and his demonstrations make good use of his skills as a professional educator. He has written numerous articles and books on woodturning and can demonstrate on a wide variety of topics. At the national AAW Symposium held in Phoenix, his topic (IIRC) was instructional projects for new turners. He must have turned 10 different types of projects during his demonstration -- all while he gave clear explanations about how to turn the project, what kind of skills it would develop, and how to teach it to new turners. The demo was based on AAW's Teacher's Resource & Project Guide, which Kip helped to develop. (The book is free to AAW members, $30 to non-members.)

In addition to the demo at the AAW Symposium, I've seen Kip demonstrate on box turning, making inlays for box lids, and other topics. Always well done.


Teacher's Resource & Project Guide

Rudy Lopez

Re: Kip Christensen

Jim Barbour

Thanks David. This is why I so much treasure the collected wisdom of this group. Kip is an obvious choice who had simply not occurred to me.

Re: Rudy Lopez

Jim Barbour

Thanks Gary.

Re: Rudy Lopez

John K Jordan

I enjoyed Rudy's demos at the TAW this year as I did those by Glenn Lucas.

JKJ

Re: Demonstrator question

Dale Gillaspy

All the ones listed would be great, I think. I would have to add Molly Winton's name to the list. I always learn something new. The other person I would really add to the list is John Beaver. John does a great demo and is very entertaining.

Rudy Lopez & others

Geoff Whaling

Rudy was very entertaining at Turnfest.

So many are great demonstrators, so hard to pick one or two out.

Glenn Lucas, Nick Agar, Phil Irons will always be high on my list as great entertainers as well as being brilliant turners. Eli Avisera is a favourite of mine, Mike Mahoney, Terry Martin (the art & history of woodturning), JF Escoulen, J Paul Fennel, Molly Winton, Andi Wolfe, Hans Weisflogg, Guilio Marcolongo, Vaughn Richmond, Jack deVos, Ken Wraight, Neil Turner, Robert McKee (outstanding all round turner and not very well known outside Queensland), Glen Roberts, Tony Hansen, Terry Scott, Alby Hall, Shane Hewitt (brilliant spindle turner probably the best I have seen in person) and quite a few other Aussies & Kiwi's.

But my all time favourite Neil Scobie is no longer with us. He was a very influential turner for me as is Vic Wood who no longer demonstrates.

Re: Rudy Lopez

john lucas

I sat through one of Rudy's demos at the TAW also. He does a really good job and I would highly recommend him.

Re: Demonstrator question

Don Orr

I've seen a lot of demos over the years and others have mentioned some wonderful demonstrators. Two that jump to the top of my list of favorites are Michael Mocho and Jimmy Clewes. We have had them at our symposium (Totally Turning) and I thought they were both excellent. Also high on my list are Jennifer Shirley and her husband Clay Foster. There are a lot of great demonstrators out and about these days.

Re: Rudy Lopez & others

Jim Barbour

As Don says a bit down the screen, "There are a lot of great demonstrators out and about these days. " Geoff you certainly have done your part to highlight a goodly number. Thanks.

Re: Demonstrator question

Jim Barbour

Thanks Dale. Molly is an excellent person to have at any symposium as she brings much more than simply demonstrating. She was here in 2013 so it may be a bit too soon for a repeat. John has been suggested by several others - he is now on my list.

Re: Demonstrator question

Jim Barbour

Jimmy Clews has been with us at least twice, Michael Mocho and Jennifer Shirley are on my list. I had not thought of Clay Foster, but that makes a great deal of sense, doesn't it!?

thanks Don

Thank You!!!

Jim Barbour

Thanks to everyone who has responded. There were more private responses than ones here on the site, so I have a healthy list from which to work.

As we get the symposium fleshed out I will be sure to post progress reports here, and I hope to see most of you in Greensboro the first weekend in November, 2017.

~ jim