HomeTAW 2026 Symposium

TAW 2026 Woodturning Symposium

The Tennessee Association of Woodturners presents their 36th Annual Woodturning Symposium on January 30th and 31st, 2026. Our 2026 Woodturning Symposium will again be located at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center 700 Cool Springs Blvd Franklin, TN. Featured demonstrators include Mike Mahoney, Roberto Ferrer, Rick Rich and Emma Cook. Two days of jam-packed demonstrations by some of the best demonstrators, an Instant Gallery where participants and Demonstrators can display their work, A People's Choice Award Area, Saturday night auction and banquet are just a few of the many activities planned for 2026. Our vendor area will be stocked full of a wide variety of woodturning equipment, supplies and wood.

Tired of watching Zoom and IRD woodturning presentations? Register for the TAW 2026 Woodturning Symposium and have the opportunity to talk to the demonstrators and see their live woodturning presentations. Take time to interact with other woodturners and search out the vendor area to see, touch and feel the latest tools, wood and finishes specifically with woodturners in mind.

REGISTRATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 1ST.

TAW 2026 Woodturning Symposium

ON-LINE REGISTRATION: Online registration is easy and secure

		SYMPOSIUM FEES:

	Registration Fee	After 12/31/25	Walk-in Registration
Full 2-Day Symposium	$225.00*	$245.00*	$275.00*
One-Day Symposium	$170.00*	$190.00*	$210.00*
Spouse Registration	$140.00*	$160.00*	$175.00*
Youth(under 16)	Free**	Still Free**	Really! It's Free**
Banquet Only	$50.00	$50.00	$50.00

*Includes banquet/auction.
**Must be accompanied by Adult Full two day

There is a $3.00 Transaction fee for non-members

Cancellation Policy:
After December 31, 2025 a $75.00 processing fee will be deducted if registration is cancelled.
After January 15, 2026 the registration fee is not refundable.

Each year we have people who cannot attend the banquet ask us for a lower cost to offset the implied cost of them not attending the Banquet. The TAW is responsible for guaranteeing the Marriott a certain amount of revenue, room nights and for renting the space required to put on this event. The registration fee is the amount we have to have to cover the event based on our years of experience putting on this event. We do sell banquet tickets to guests who would like to join us for the Banquet/Auction and the ticket price covers the incremental cost of that meal. We hope that everyone would join us for the banquet but do understand that there are other obligations that some of our attendees have.

Symposium Schedule

To see the latest symposium schedule of information please click Here

Roberto Ferrer

Roberto Ferrer was born and raised in Mexico, where he was surrounded by art and crafts from the early age. His natural curiosity about knowing how things are built and how mechanisms work led him to explore different jobs such as construction, auto mechanics, body shop among other things. In his mid-twenties he started carving sculptural bowls and vessels using a limited number of handheld power tools. Although the results were somewhere satisfactory, it was hard on his body and time consuming as well. And this is what eventually led him to pursue woodturning as a way of removing wood in a more efficient manner and to lay the base for the sculptural work he currently creates. While drawing and painting were part of his everyday life, the love for wood as a medium was born in his childhood when he used to visit his cousin's wood shop. But it was the colonial and baroque style architecture in his hometown that sparked the desire to one day be able to create sculptural work. In July 2019 he received the POP Excellence Award, and his work was featured in the AAW journal in
August 2019 as well as the October issue of the same year. In 2020 he was among the POP invited artists where he presented a sculpture with his own interpretation of Quetzalcoatl. In 2021 he was the showcased artist at AAW Symposium in Louisville, KY. In 2022 he was an invited artist at the Professional Outreach Program “Space in Between” in Chattanooga, TN.

In 2023 he was among the demonstrators invited to present at the national AAW symposium. In recent years he has been invited to demonstrate at local woodturning clubs. Since 2018 he has participated in art shows in the Mid-West as well as online juried exhibitions where he received some of the following awards – Best of Category, Best of Show, Outstanding Achievement. He is humble to know that his work is now part of private collections across the USA and Europe. Roberto lives and works in suburban Chicago where his studio is located. There he can combine his family and his passion for making and creating.

Roberto Ferrer will do the following 4 rotations:

Wall sculptures made easy

During this presentation attendees will be introduced to the technique I have develop to create my signature work in a safe and easy manner. I will demonstrate how to quickly turn and carve a wall sculpture using only the lathe, a grinder and conventional woodturning tools.
I will also explain the different results you can achieve by using end grain vs side grain, proper tool selection, and different ways of mounting the wood on the lathe. In the end, I will do a short slide presentation to illustrate the many different results you can achieve using this technique.

Embellishing Wall Sculptures and Conventional Turnings

During this rotation, attendees will learn the steps I follow and the types of tools I use in order to embellish a turned and carved wall sculpture. The techniques learned here can also be applied to conventional turnings. Topics will include safety, hand-carving tools, power-carving tools, wood burners, branding, texturing, highlighting with fire, coloring, top-coating your work.

Fluted Bowl Antiquity

A small laser marker, a handful of tools and a bit of imagination can be the perfect recipe to quickly bring your turnings to the next level. During this demonstration Roberto will show you how easy it can be to lay out and carve this design on either a bowl or a vessel.

Wood, Wire and Fire

Even a small branch, an offcut, or a piece of firewood, have the possibility of becoming a skill-building exercise, or even a feature masterpiece. During this demonstration participants will explore a simple combination of woodturning techniques as well as coloring. Roberto will show you how to quickly put together a beautiful flower bouquet. It can be either gifted to a loved one or proudly displayed in your home.

Emma Cook

Emma Cook - also know by her trading name 'The Tiny Turner' - is popular demonstrator with over 20 years of turning experience under her belt. She regularly demonstrates to clubs within the UK as well as appearing at shows and open house venues throughout Europe. Emma has also held a number of demos via Zoom for various clubs in America, and was honoured to be invited both to the AAW in 2025 and TAW in 2026. It will be amazing opportunity for her to meet people she has only previous seen via a screen!

Emma's turning style often incorporates vivid colours, hand-carved texture or mixed media such as resin. She has a background in wood carving and was trained by one of the few remaining Master Carver in Britain. Woodturning is Emma's full-time career which she officially set out to achieve in 2013; and since March 2024 has become Chair of the Register of Professional Turners in the UK.

Emma Cook will do the following 4 rotations:

Hollow Form with Reversible Lid

This hollow form box is one of the simplest types of box you can turn, but with an intriguing twist: the lid is reversible with different patterns on each face! Although the turning in the project is not too difficult, there will be a lot of discussion regarding design in this demo - something we don't usually get to see. Emma encourages people to get involved and throw out ideas for how this project might evolve, looking at shapes and proportions as well as taking you step-by-step through the turning process.

Another great demo for turners of all skill levels.

Chameleon Bowl

A must-see demonstration for anyone who enjoys bowl turning!

The Chameleon Bowl is possibly one of Emma's best known demonstrations and covers at a multitude of subjects: turning; carving and colouring. The bowl is turned with great detail and explanation of the different cuts required to turn a slightly undercut bowl, before being hand carved and decorated with Emma's own brand of Chameleon products.

Even if you are not a bowl turner, the decorative section of the project can easily be transferred to many different forms to add an impressive pop of colour!

Glass and Turned Finial Ornament with Lights

No matter whether you are a beginner or a more advanced turner, this project is a wonderful excuse to make some beautiful spindles!

During this demo, Emma will take you through how to turn one of her signature, lighted ornaments that combines a drop finial with a glass globe and fairy lights. She will talk through her preferred selection of tools for the project, highlighting some of the problems you can experience with spindle turning, and how to resolve them.

A fun project with a good focus on skills.

Hand Turned Resin / Burl Sphere

Create your own, stunning resin and burl sphere using this simple method!

The first part of this demo covers making the cup chucks used to hold the sphere and talking through the resin casting process to make the blank (there will be no actual casting during the demo). Next, we move on to turning the sphere itself and how/why this particular method works. Finally, the sphere is polished to a glass-like finish with different finishing options also discussed as alternatives.

Not only are spheres a gorgeous object to look at, they are extremely tactile and a great skill builder - again suitable for all levels of turner!

Mike Mahoney

Mike has been a professional woodturner since 1992. He specializes in utilitarian items that hewholesales to American Crafts galleries across the U.S. Mike acquiresall his material from local urban sources (tree trimmersand city landfills). Mike has also taught his craft at woodturning symposiums in seven countries. Mike has diversified by creating instructional DVDs and a line of woodworking finishes with a walnut oil base. He is also the director of the Utah Woodturning Symposium. Here is an artist statement I used for the Smithsonian when I did show's there. I think this sums it up:"I am passionate about my craft and the American Craft movement.I am dedicated to producing quality craft and educating the public about woodturning.My wood comes from urban sources (tree trimmers and local cities). I produce all my work on the lathe without any emblellishments after the fact, creating a very traditional feel with contemporary ideas.I want my work to be attractive as well as useful.For my work to be admired is one thing, but for my work to be used fulfills my purpose as a craftsman.

Mike Mahoney will do the following 4 rotations:

Peppermill

I will take us through the process of harvesting the timber and drying it. I will discuss design considerations then continue to turn, hollow, sand, finish and make the mechanism of the mill fit our blank.

Quartersawn Oak Platter

I will discuss how I harvest the wood that comes out of the tree. Quarter sawn, rift, and flat grain blanks will be discussed along appropriate woods for platters, plates, and trays. A finished platter will be made in the demo

Calabash Bowl

This demo will be from a green piece of wood to make the finished calabash bowl. The demonstration will discuss the history and use of the calabash. I will also employ the McNaughton center saver to core two bowls from the calabash blank. Other topics will be jamb chucking and drying the finished piece.

Hollow Form with Threaded Lid

This demonstration takes us through the process on how I make my burial urns. The tools I use to make the hollow form and the thread chasers to fit a lid to the base. If everything goes as planned I should have a finished urn at the end of the rotation.

Rick Rich

I am from the beautiful Pacific Northwest and am a member of the SW Washington Woodturners, the Cascade Woodturners Association and the American Association of Woodturners. I began turning as a hobby and over time the number of classes, demonstrations, articles, and projects increased. The satisfaction I receive from turning, teaching, and writing also increased, so I consider it a win-win.

As with most fields of craft, becoming proficient is simply mastering the basic skills. I focused on learning the basic skills by reading and turning the courses in books, shop manuals and teaching guides for shop teachers 100 years ago. Teaching woodturning as a trade and livelihood was a serious business back then. Interestingly, each course begins with spindles, starting with a humble cylinder. I still enjoy reading through the old books and finding an interesting project for turning in my shop.

Rick Rich will do the following 4 rotations:

Klein Flaschenform Turmkreisel

In this demonstration inspired by a traditional German toy, I turn a small (klein) tower spinner (turmkreisel), featuring a distinctive bottle-like shape (flaschenform). This demo focuses on refining techniques and exploring precision turning. No specialized tools are required – just the standard equipment most turners already have. Get ready to learn how to make a fun and unique toy while honing your skills!

Perfect Practice with 2x4 materials

Practice does not make perfect; only perfect practice makes perfect – Vince Lombardi. Practicing woodturning, like any other discipline or craft, should involve a structured and focused approach. This demonstration spotlights the skew chisel and consists of several practice
projects turned from kiln dried construction grade 2x4. When 2x4 softwood is used for practice, it will show any attempt to scrape with visible tear-out, making it an excellent training aid for new and experienced turners alike!

Rolling Pins - A Demonstration of Classic Woodturning Techniques

This demonstration showcases traditional woodturning methods, starting with a rolling pin using dimensions from the 1919 book A Course in Wood Turning, bringing historical craftsmanship into the present. Following this, a cylindrical French style rolling pin is turned, further emphasizing time-tested woodturning principles as the unmistakable classic form takes shape. Lastly, a hybrid rolling pin is turned – small and perfect for mini-lathes and pastries. This 13”rolling pin is excellent for beginning turners, as only a small lathe is necessary. Throughout the process, special attention is given to the correct handling of spindle turning tools, particularly the skew chisel. The demonstration highlights techniques essential for copy turning, ensuring precision and control in every cut.

Firewood Art – Lighthouse & Flowerpot

Experience the excitement of turning firewood into art. This between centers demonstration makes excellent use of readily available wood, and easy to remember skew chisel turning techniques are examined in full detail.

Symposium Auction

2025 will see Jay Ehrlbacher return as our auctioneer! You are assured an enjoyable, laugh-filled evening. The auction will include donations of turned pieces, tools, supplies and wood donated by our attendees, Vendors and TAW members. In addition there will be demo pieces from each demonstrator in the auction. All proceeds from the auction support continuing education in woodturning through the TAW scholarship program and TAW outreach programs. Each attendee coming to the symposium is encouraged to donation a turned piece (or anything you choose) to the auction. Jeff Brockett will be the auction caller.

Please take time to review the Auction Pieces in the Instant Gallery room and on the front tables prior to the Auction at the Banquet.

This will give you an idea of size and color as the image on the screen at the Auction can be deceiving

TAW will accept Cash, Credit Card, Venmo and PayPal as forms of payment. The TAW is a 501 c(3) so all donations are tax deductible!

The TAW and Women In Turning

Women In Turning (WIT) is a committee of the AAW, bringing together women worldwide who share a passion for woodturning. WIT is dedicated to encouraging and assisting women in their pursuit of turning, to share ideas and processes to further member's skills and creativity, and to increase participation of women in the field of woodturning. The TAW is a proud supporter of WIT. The Slideshow to the left highlights some of the work of our WIT Members. The WIT is also helping the TAW to support the Wig Stand Project! TAW members turn wig stands which are donated to cancer victims in partnership with local hospitals.

Women In Turning Meeting

There will be a WIT luncheon meeting (bring your lunch) in the Arabian Room on Saturday, February 1st.

2025 People's Choice winner

JIM SCARSELLA

Jim Scarsella's Winning Submission

Peoples Choice Award

Each year participants may enter one piece, which is entirely their own work, into the People's Choice Award. Vendors and demonstrators are not eligible for the People's Choice Award. No collaborative efforts please. All Symposium participants will be asked to vote and select the best piece for the People's Choice Award.

People's Choice Award Winner:

$250.00 cash award, plaque and free registration to the TAW 2027 Woodturning Symposium

Instant Gallery

We invite every Symposium participant to display up to four pieces of their work for all others to enjoy during the Symposium. Each year we have an impressive display of turned pieces from the demonstrators as well as our talented attendees. Always a favorite, the instant gallery will be on display throughout the Symposium. This large exhibit of wood turned art provides a unique opportunity for collectors to become acquainted with both new and well-known artists. For "Turners", the gallery is a great way to see what others have been up to and provides many ideas and inspiration for you! Check out some highlights from our 2025 Instant Gallery to the right!

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

The 2026 TAW Woodturning Symposium will once again be held at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center located at 700 Cool Springs Blvd in Franklin, TN. We have secured a special room rate of $145.00 per night for symposium attendees. There are a limited number of rooms available at this rate and we encourage symposium attendees to book their rooms early. To reserve a room at the Marriott please click H ERE. Last day to reserve a room at this rate is Thursday, January 8th 2026

THINGS TO DO & PLACES TO GO

The symposium location is directly across the interstate from the Cool Springs Galleria Mall and shopping area. Downtown Nashville is just a short drive up I-65. For a list of things to do and places to go in the immediate area click HERE

WIN A POWERMATIC LATHE!

Once Again, we will give away a Powermatic 2014 Lathe to one lucky turner. All Full, Spouse and One Day registrants will be entered in the drawing that will immediately follow the banquet and auction on Saturday Night. You must be present to win! The Winner is responsible for picking up the lathe. For more information on the lathe click HERE

Symposium Contacts

Have question about the symposium? Please contact the following for help:

General symposium questions - Bill Mauzy symposium@tnwoodturners.org

Vendor information - Grant Hitt vendorinfo@tnwoodturners.org

Registration Questions - Gretchen Nieb treasurer@tnwoodturners.org