2009 International Turning Exchange (ITE) Has Begun - Resident Fellows:
 Derek Bencomo, artist, US -
Working with wood for over 20 years, Bencomo's work once focused
on the bottom of pieces - where one would discover the details. Entering new directions, his recent work has
neither a top nor bottom focus. The timing of the ITE is perfect for Derek as
he opens his new work shop in Hawaii.
The residency gives him an opportunity to share his years of experience while
gaining insights from the others. He will also move his current ideas from paper
to completion. www.derekbencomo.com
 David M. Bender, artist, US -
Bender
pushes boundaries by re working the traditional application of materials.
Continually questioning the perception and utility of materials guides his experimentation
and creation of the final work. Through the ITE residency, David will learn additional
skills and influences from his fellow artists. He also plans to challenge them
with his concepts and processes as they all work to enjoy and diversify their
work. www.david-bender.com
Jerome Blanc, artist, Switzerland 
After
training as a cabinet maker in Geneva, Blanc
discovered wood turning in 2000 in Australia. His work is based on constant
dialogue with materials yielding creations that ally aesthetics with technical
difficulty, resulting in stripped and elegant designs. The ITE residency appeals
to Jerome as a means of working in radically different ways, free of his daily
routines. He hopes to open new horizons of human and professional experience,
while experiencing great joy and motivation. www.jeromeblanc.ch
Terry E. Johnson, co-photojournalist
Johnson has a broad background in journalism that
includes reportage on subjects ranging from legislative and foreign affairs to
community life, the arts and education. However, his primary interest has been
the examination of how people creatively respond to historic circumstances and
the challenges of modernity. He believes a residency with lathe-turning wood
artists will allow him to peer more deeply into how people create and how
general experiences are translated into particular artistic expressions.
 Robert Lyon, artist, US
Lyon expects his ITE residency to
continue to blur the distinction between art and craft in his work. He will expand0Ahis conceptual ideas into larger turnings within installation formats. Environmental fragility, memory, beauty, and
cultural identity are reoccurring themes in his work. He plans to utilize the
collaborative ITE process as a way of generating new methods of thinking and working
- for his personal work, as well as the evolution he can share when he returns
to his students.
Click here to visit Robert's website
Howard Risatti, scholar, US
Howard Risatti is Emeritus Professor of
Contemporary Art and Critical Theory in the Department of Art History at Virginia Commonwealth
University in Richmond, VA.
He served as Chair of the Department of Craft & Material Studies from
2001-05. Before receiving his PhD in art history from the University of Illinois,
Champaign-Urbana, he earned BM and MM Degrees in
music and is ABD in music theory and composition. His latest book, A Theory
of Craft: Function and Aesthetic Expression, was published by the University
of North Carolina Press
in October 2007.
A.M. Weaver, co-photojournalist
Whose art journalism has taken her in many fascinating directions, has
written commentary on sculptors, photographers, painters and artists who are
heavily reliant on craft to make their work. The residency with ITE
artists will allow her to document how these artists use lathe-turning and wood
working techniques to convey complex ideas and build bridges between craft and
sculpture.
 Leah Woods, furniture maker, US
Leah Woods will immerse herself in reexamining
and challenging her process - the ITE will give her the chance to explore her
concepts using different technique while the summer's timeframe will challenge
her to work in a different scale. She explores issues relating to fashion,
function, and gender and is currently seeking to find a balance - using graphic
and conceptual images of women's clothing, physical elements of women's
clothing, with issues of how and for what purpose furniture functions.
Click here to visit Leah's website.
We are pleased to announce the ITE 2009 residences and
blog! Visit this blog regularly to get updates from our residences as
they work in Philadelphia for the next few months. Thank you to Luann Vodder of Whirled Pixels for setting up and maintaining this blog for our ITErs.
Don't forget to RSVP
for the Open Studio Day.
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Save the Dates!
International Turning Exchange 2009
Saturday, July 18:
ITE Open Studio Day, 10am - 4pm
at Moore College of Art & Design, Wood Shop
(20th Street and The Parkway). Enter at the Gallery.
$10 for 1/2 day, $20 includes lunch (RSVP)
Friday, August 7:
ITE exhibition opens: allTURNatives: Form & Spirit
2009, 5:30 - 7pm, Gallery talk, 6:30 pm
Saturday, August 8:
2 - 4 pm, Gallery talk with the ITE Residents
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Congratulations to the 2010 International Turning Exchange Resident Fellows!
The Center is pleased to announce the 2010 ITE Resident Fellows: A heartfelt welcome to Luc De Roo (Belgium), Irene Grafert (Denmark), Julie Heryet (United Kingdom), Won Joo Park (Korea) and Derek Weidman (US).
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Currently in the Galleries:
The Art of Opening: Bottles & Their Toppers
May 1 - July 18, 2009
 The Art of Opening: Bottles & Their Toppers, will run at the Center through July 18, 2009. This exhibition contains truly unique gifts for wine lovers and collectors!
 To push the frontiers of American and International Craft, the Wood Turning Center sent out a prospectus calling for original hand-made, limited production corkscrews and wine bottle stoppers. The Center recruited two internationally known artists, Michael Hosaluk and Boris Bally, as guest curators for this exhibition. Each juror reviewed the content, forms, materials and construction methods utilized in the corkscrews and bottle stoppers. This highly-imaginative exhibition is shown in conjunction with the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) annual conference, Revolution, in Philadelphia, PA, from May 20-23, 2009.
 In an exciting collaboration that evolved from how to display these works, the Wood Turning Center and Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, NJ, partnered and local glass artists created one-of-a-kind glass vessels inspired by each bottle stopper.
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Also ...
In Balance: Wood & Metal
May 1 - July 18, 2009
We are pleased to announce our exhibition In Balance: Wood & Metal. This exhibit will run at the Center through July 18, 2009 in conjunction with the Society of North American Goldsmith (SNAG) annual conference May 20 - 23.
This exhibition showcases 5 American artists who blend two mediums - wood & metal. Bringing harmony to natural materials and manmade fabrications, this exhibition shows the delicate nature and strength of both mediums when joined together.
 In his early teens, William Moore was taught to turn wood on a lathe by his mother. In the mid 1980's, Moore began integrating materials such as fabric, ceramic and metal within his wood sculptures. His work reflects his infatuation with sphere-shaped forms and ultimately exposing the interiors to the viewer. Moore says the metal used in his work is not ornamental but rather completes his compositions.
 Michael Chinn uses wood and metal to create physical balance. Over decades, his modern elements have worked together to suspend gravity.
 Robyn Horn, a veteran wood artist, balances wood, metal, texture and muted color in these sculptures. Ornate, patterned textures on the wood are complemented and enriched by shaped steel counterparts.
 Todd Hoyer'ssculptures at first seem to be reconstructed segments of wood held toge
ther by wire. Hoyer begins and ends with an intact piece of wood. Wrapped wire creates tension and texture as it defines the subtle natural forms. Hoyer begins with the organic nature of wood and ends with geometric forms and deep expressions.
 Mark Nantz, a meticulous maker, creates classically shaped wood
forms and embeds silver and gold to create precious other worldly artifacts.
...get the inside scoop on the
In Balance artists...
We asked the artists the following questions. Click here to read their responses.
To William Moore, Michael Chin, Todd Hoyer - the veteran wood & metal users:
(1)How did you happen to utilize both wood and metal in your work?
(2)What is your attraction to these materials?
(3)Is there a hierarchy in your combinations - i.e. does one material play a more key part than the other?
(4)What would you use if wood or metal were no longer available to you?
(5)Who is your favorite aritst and how did they inspire your work?
(6)What else can you tell the audience about your work?
To Mark Nantz and Robyn Horn:
(1)What led to your eventual explorations with wood and metal in your work?
(2)What is your attraction to these materials?
(3)Is there a hierarchy in your combinations - i.e. does one material play a more key part than the other?
(4)What would you use if wood or metal were no longer available to you?
(5)Who is your favorite aritst and how did they inspire your work?
(6)What else would you like to tell the audience about your work?
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Center News
Staff Updates: Center hires Director of Development - Welcome Michael S. Lane
Michael has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and for profit sectors. Most recently he has served as a consultant to nonprofits through his business I'll Grant You This. He has also taught grant writing, fundraising and capacity building courses at Atlantic Cape College in Mays Landing, NJ, and Cumberland Community College in Vineland, NJ. Please stop in and say "hello" to Michael and let him know any ideas you have that will assist the Center in its fundraising outreach.
BUSINESS + ART = SMART
Penn State Industries of Pennsylvania becomes the Center's First Charter Member of the Corporate Partnership Program.
Penn State Industries has joined with the WTC in an innovative business/art partnership. PSI's products (including the lathe chucks featured in this newsletter) are sold to the public through the WTC's museum store and website at greatly reduced prices. In a short time, this partnership has generated increased sales, demand for catalogues and website hits for PSI. As Ed Levy, President of PSI noted: "the Corporate Partnership is a win/win situation for everyone and is a great way for business and the arts to maximize their potential in these economically challenging times." To become a Corporate Partner and link your products and web site to the Center's web site, contact us at: info@woodturningcenter.org or by calling 215.923.8000. Our other corporate partners include: Oneway Manufacturing, Craft Supplies, Klingspor's Woodworking Shop, and Packard
Woodworks
Lathes for Africa
Drexel engineering students met with Albert LeCoff to learn the basics of lathes, and then developed a simple, transportable, economic lathe for use by local communities in Africa to make products to sell. See two photos and a thank you letter documenting the Lathes For Africa trip to Tanzania. One of the local craftsman, GoodListens, is proud of the lathe that he and community members helped build, along with part of the travel team and their Maasai friend Mathayo. View here.
Call for Submissions
The call for applications for ITE Scholars and Photojournalists is available for 2010/2011/2012 ITE. Applications for resident artists are available for 2011/2012. Applications are due by October 1, 2009. To view in PDF form, click here.
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My Turn
 We welcome your feedback to Turning Points! The "My Turn" section is a place for everyone to share thoughts on Turning Points articles and the field of wood and lathe-turned art. Unless otherwise indicated, comments sent to Turing Points will be treated as letters to the editor for publication in Turning Points. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.
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Great Summer Reading:
New Books from the Museum Store
To Turn the Perfect Wooden Bowl is the first and only in-depth profile of Bob Stocksdale, considered by many to20be the most influential wood turning artisan of the past 50 years. Based on a lengthy interview taped in 1987 and featuring an insightful Q&A session and 50 stunning examples of his work, this enlightening book will inspire any wood turning artist - or anyone who simply enjoys working with wood.
Price: $24.95 + S&H
Buy Now!
Availability: In Stock
Page Count: 160
Size: 8" X 8" inches
Type: Soft Cover with Flaps
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AWARD WINNING:
Challenge VII: dysFUNctional
The American Association of Museums (AAM) recently awarded Challenge VII: dysFUNctional 2nd Place in the Design category. Designed by Dan Saal in 2008 for the Wood Turning Center, the book documents the exhibit of the same name that is touring the US from 2009-2011. Various materials - paper, vellum, carpet, odd size pages, and color photos document20how the artists explore function and dysfunction. Artists from Australia, Canada, England, France, Italy and the United States filmed, glued, laminated, layered, nailed, notched, photographed, sewed, and turn wood and other materials into strange and delightful objects.
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Amazing Savings Through the WTC Corporate Partners Program:
PSI Barracuda Lathe Chucks
WTC invites its friends to enjoy dramatic savings on must have tools! At these reduced rates, you can easily add to your shop tools. In addition, to great deals on state-of-the-art tools, you also contribute critical support to the Center's nonprofit programs.
 Barracuda2 T/N Plated Special Edition -
Lathe Key Chuck System (#CSC3000CTN - Not for Oneway Lathes)Product Details: easy to use one-hand operation
"T-handle" key system provides greater ease than the lever, non-key chuck systems which enables you to support your work with your free hand.
The Barracuda2 system is precision engineered and machined to provide smooth operation minimizing vibration at almost any lathe speed.
Titanium Nitride Plating
Body and Jaws are plated with Titanium Nitride for superior durability. Titanium plated small flat jaws for finishing bowls up to 5" diamater. Titanium plated Super Spur Insert simplies converting over to spindle projects. Titanium indexing back plate.
Standard thread is 1" x 8tpi.
This complete Lathe Chuck system includes:
=C2=B7 #2 Jaws (Pre-Mounted)
=C2=B7 #1 Jaws
=C2=B7 #3 Round Jaws
=C2=B7 Pin Jaws
=C2=B7 Indexing Attachment
=C2=B7 Screw Chuck
=C2=B7 Headstock Adapter
=C2=B7 Jaw Key
=C2=B7 "T-handle" Allen Wrench
=C2=B7 Small Flat Jaws
=C2=B7 5/8" Super Center
=C2=B7 Attractive and durable black blow-molded case
=C2=B7 Includes adaptors for 3/4" x 16 tpi
Our Price: $ 169.00
List Price: $ 199.95
S & H: $ 10.00
Powergrip Barracuda4
Lathe Chuck System
(#CSCBARR4)
Product Details: Versatile 9-piece Self-Centering lathe chuck system for large lathes.
Heavyweight/Heavy-Duty
Large body chuck designed to be used on lathes with 10" swings and larger.
Powerful Grip
Geared key mechanism provides a powerful grip capable of holding large diameter work.
Single Hand Tightening
The "T-handled" key allows single hand tightening with a long shaft that clears larger diameter work.
Standard thread is 1-1/2" x 8tpi.
Adapters Available Separately:
#LABAR418 1" x 8tpi
#LABAR4114 11/4" x 8tpi
#LABAR4M33 M33 x 3.5tpi
For information on purchasing any of these items, please visit us at www.woodturningcenter.org
or contact the Center: 215.923.8000
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