Join us for our 2017 symposium

Turning Southern Style 2017

The Georgia Association of Woodturners (GAW) presents its annual  "Turning Southern Style" symposium.  This year's event will again be held at the Dalton Convention Center in Dalton, GA.  With our impressive slate of demonstrators, a large group of Vendors, and a great facility, this promises to be one of the largest, most informative and enjoyable symposiums in our 22 year history.

 

2017 Featured Demonstrators

Beth Ireland Bio

  Glenn Lucas Bio

Pascal Oudet Bio

Beth Ireland Glenn Lucas Pascal Oudet
    Guest Demonstrators
   
 Nick Cook
Harvey Meyer Bio  
Harvey Meyer

Joe Ruminski Bio  
Joe Ruminski
    And Several Great Vendor Demonstrators
    (The list is currently being developed.)
Register Now! Advance registration closes on Sept. 10, 2017. You may register in-person at the event.

Starts: Friday September 15, 2017

  • Registration opens at 10:00 am
  • Vendor Area opens at 11:00
  • Welcome Ceremony starts at 1:00 PM

Ends: Sunday September 17, 2017

  • Last demo ends at 12:00 noon

Where:

Dalton Convention Center
2211 Dug Gap Battle Road
Dalton, GA 30720 

Symposium links

 

Contact:

Steve Mellott - Chairman 
symposium@gawoodturner.org 
404-642-3222

Four Separate Demonstration Rooms

Each demonstration room is walled off and insulated to eliminate "sound bleed" from the surrounding rooms. Three of the rooms are reserved for the Featured and Guest Demonstrators. The 4th room is reserved for our Vendor Demonstrators who take the time to demonstrate and explain their tools before you actually make a purchase.



Instant Gallery



Always a favorite, the Instant Gallery will be open throughout the symposium. This large exhibit of woodturned art provides a unique opportunity for collectors to become acquainted with both new and well-known artists.  Many works will be available for sale.  For "Turners", the gallery is a great way to see what others have been up to.  We invite each participant to display up to four pieces of his/her work for all to enjoy.  Symposium attendees will vote on a People's Choice winner who will be reimbursed up to $100 spent at any of the vendors during the symposium.

                              

Vendor Trade Area

For those of you who need "just one more tool," a special piece of wood, or need to replenish your shop supplies, we have plenty of vendors who can help you out.  The Vendor Trade Area will be open during the entire symposium.

 

Banquet/Auction

A delicious banquet dinner will be served Saturday evening.  The price of the banquet is included in your registration fee.  Additional Banquet tickets can be purchased for spouses or guests who are not registered to attend the demos.  Immediately following the Banquet, we will begin the auction, which will include turned pieces, tools, supplies and wood donated by our vendors, attendees and GAW members.  All proceeds from the auction support continuing woodturning education through the GAW scholarship program.  Each Turner attending the symposium is encouraged to bring a turned piece (or anything you choose) to support the scholarship fund.

 

Youth are Free

Each registered attendee can bring a youth (under the age of 18) free of charge.  We will even buy them dinner at the Banquet.  

 

Spouse/Guest Lounge

We have a reserved seating area at the Convention Center where spouses and guests can relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.  There is no charge to use this area.  We will also have a craft room where spouses and guest can work on their favorite hobbies or participate in several scheduled activities.  (Information relating to the scheduled activities will be provided within the next several months.)


Beads of Courage                

Please consider making a box which will be donated to Beads of Courage, a non-profit organization that provides innovative, arts-in-medicine supportive care programs to transform the treatment experience for children coping with a serious illness.  This Beads of Courage link provides information about the box specifications.  Symposium attendees will be given one ticket for each box they bring and five randomly drawn winners will be reimbursed for up to $50 spent at any of the vendors at the symposium.  (Bringing multiple boxes improves your chances of winning but you can only win once.)