About The Alaska Woodturners Association

The Alaska Woodturners Association (AWA) is a chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). The AWA was established exclusively for charitable, educational, artistic, and scientific purposes; helping and providing encouragement to all woodturners; sharing ideas, techniques, tools, tool design, wood, and equipment; and providing a place for woodturners to meet.

Our chapter was established in November of 2003. Since that time, we have held monthly meetings and provided many demonstrations of various woodturning techniques. Our membership has grown from the eight founding fathers to an impressive 100+ members. Our members’ skill levels range from the true novice to master turners. Our memberships come from all parts of Alaska, the lower 48 and other countries. The meetings, demos, and gatherings have something of interest for everyone.  Members often have a spare room to accommodate our “out of town” guest who wishes to attend a particular event and needs a place to stay.

Since establishment of the AWA was predicated on teaching, sharing, and camaraderie; we have instituted many classes to teach basic to the more advanced woodturning, safety, tool sharpening, and much more. We provide many public woodturning demonstrations to our communities such as the Artistry in Wood event, the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, AK, Bowls for Beans charitable event and many others. Members of our organization are community minded and donate hundreds of turned pieces each year to local non-profit fundraising events.