Exhibitions and Auctions
Instant Gallery (P)
Every registered (paid) attendee is welcome to bring three pieces to display in the huge Instant Gallery. Take your time to enjoy the world’s largest display of turned wood. This nearly 30,000 sq.ft. exhibit will amaze and inspire. With work by turners of every level, this is a great chance to see an enormous variety of woodturnings.
AAW Member Exhibition: Out of the Woods (P)
The theme for the 2023 AAW member show is Out of the Woods, embracing the versatile and beautiful medium we work in and referring to the many challenges and changes of the past few years.
(P) = Free Public Access
POP Artist Showcase (P)
Each year the Professional Outreach Program (POP) showcases two outstanding wood artists at the AAW Annual Symposium. They are either experienced artists who have made significant contributions to the woodturning field but have not received appropriate recognition or emerging artists who have the potential for making significant contributions to the field. This year's featured artists, Nicole MacDonald and Elizabeth Weber, will give two demonstrations and their work is displayed prominently in the Instant Gallery.
POP Merit Award Show (P)
This exhibition features the work of 2023 POP Merit Award winner J. Paul Fennell. This honor is awarded to individuals who have shown exceptional development in their careers as artists and whose artworks have directly influenced or had a significant impact on other woodturning artists.
Intimate Critiques
Want honest, qualified feedback on your work? Sign-up for an Intimate Critique to get constructive feedback from some of the most knowledgeable and respected woodturners, woodworkers, and curators. Register in advance for a timeslot in the Instant Gallery.
AAW Benefit Live Auction (P)
Join in the excitement of live bidding on museum-quality woodturned work. Funds raised support AAW members and the AAW’s educational mission and programs. The auction will be held Friday, June 2 live in person and online. You can participate in person, or bid (and watch!) from your phone, tablet, or computer before and during the event.
POP Exhibition and Live Auction (P)
The POP exhibition features work by a mix of professional-level international, emerging and established artists. The auction will be held Friday, June 2 live in person and online. You can participate in person, or bid (and watch!) from your phone, tablet, or computer before and during the event.
Silent Auction (P)
The Silent Auction offers a fun and relaxed atmosphere for browsing and bidding on artwork, tools and more. Consider donating a turned piece of artwork, woodturning-related supplies, or something else to benefit the AAW’s educational mission and support its educational programs. Drop your donation off in the Gallery and Exhibition Hall.
The Largest Woodturning Tradeshow
The AAW Symposium Tradeshow is jam-packed with all the latest and greatest equipment, tools, jigs, wood, and supplies. You’ll be captivated and fascinated. See merchandise and tools up close and in action – and get your questions answered. Buy whatever you need for your shop. Featuring:
Advanced Lathe Tools, LLC
Airbrushing Wood
Alumilite Corporation
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
AZ Carbide
Big Monk Lumber Company
Carter and Son Toolworks
Cindy Drozda Woodturning
Clark's Arts Beyond
Starbond Adhesives
Curt Theobald Studios
Easy Inlay
Easy Wood Tools
Hunter Tool Systems
International Wood Collectors Society
John Jordan Woodturning
Powermatic / JET
Woodturners Wonders LLC
Klingspor's Woodworking Shop
Lyle Jamieson Woodturning LLC
MDI Woodcarvers Supply
Niles Bottle Stoppers
Odd-Not.Com
Planet Plus Ltd
Real Milk Paint Co.
Robert Sorby Ltd
Robust Tools
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
Spiracraft
Stainless Bottle Stoppers
Stuart Batty Tools
Teknatool USA
The Walnut Log LLC
Thompson Lathe Tools
Tom's Tools
Trent Bosch Tools
Uneeda
Vince's Wood N' Wonders
Woodturning with Tim Yoder
Free Public Access
Family-Friendly Activities
(P) = Free Public Access
Learn To Turn: a Woodturning Experience for the Whole Family
Free for kids ages 10 to 18 to learn to use the lathe with experienced woodturning insructors. Space is limited and each registered youth must be accompanied and sponsored by an adult who is a paid registrant for the event. Students will make a variety of projects including a tree ornament, ring holder, honey dipper, twist pen, egg-leidoscope, cupcake box, and yo-yo. Advanced registration required.
Pen Turning with The Midwest Penturners (P)
Join the live, hands-on pen turning class to craft your own custom pen.
Kentucky Kingdom
For family fun just steps from the Expo Center, the Kentucky Kingdom offers theme park roller coasters and water park attractions. A fun outside adventure to add to your vacation.
Charitable Activities
Beads of Courage
Make and donate one or more lidded boxes to nonprofit Beads of Courage to benefit children struggling with serious illnesses. Important: Before making boxes, please carefully review the specifications. Drop off your donations at the Beads of Courage booth located in the Gallery and Exhibition Hall. Boxes will be displayed in the Beads of Courage booth.
Empty Bowls
Make and donate one or more bowls (or other turned items) to Empty Bowls to be sold for $25 to support a local charity. Drop off your bowls (or other turned items) at the Empty Bowls booth, located in the Gallery and Exhibition Hall.
(P) = Free Public Access
Auctions Supporting Educational Programs (P)
Proceeds from the AAW Benefit Live Auction and the Silent Auction support the AAW’s educational mission and programs. Consider donating a turned piece of artwork, woodturning-related supplies, or something else to AAW’s silent auction. Drop your donation off in the Gallery and Exhibition Hall.
Social Events
Evening Banquet (paid ticket required)
Join your peers in the ballroom for a seated dinner to celebrate the woodturning community and bid on the Silent Auction items.
Awards Ceremony
Join us in celebrating AAW's Honorary Lifetime Member, POP Merit Award Artist, Chapter Newsletter and Website award winners, AAW Member Exhibition Masters' Choice and People's Choice winners.
Happy Hour and Social Hour
Socialize with other attendees and demonstrators at the Friday Happy Hour and Saturday Social Hour. This is a great opportunity to make connections and build relationships.
