10 members showed up at Dan Allaire’s shop to participate in the reenergization of the Wood Splinter Group. In attendance were: Josh Kuhlmann (President), Jeremiah Polynone (VP), Steve Makin (Treasurer), Bernie Becker, Bill Barrand, Doug Forsha, Gerry Merrill, Dan Allaire, Andy Glantz, and Dave Fleming.
The main topics of the night were the ongoing purpose and functions of the group. Lots of ideas were discussed for group meeting topics, field trips, workshops, projects, and design challenges. There was also a fair amount of talk about group shows and marketing opportunities.
In no particular order, here is a synopsis of some of the ideas discussed.
Meeting Topics - In general everyone seems to appreciate a mix of the practical and the cerebral, from technique demos to design presentations to pure art. There is an interest in visiting the shops of craftspeople and artists, especially those doing exceptionally fine and/or unusual work. Ideas suggested included visiting the shop of a successful custom stairbuilder, an ASU professor of art/sculpture, a CNC demo at a high-tech cabinet shop, touring an historic house in Flagstaff well-known for its architecture and furnishings, and an inside look at the world-class print room at the ASU art museum.
Road Trips - some years ago several members of the group arranged to go to the Bay Area and visit Garry Knox Bennett in his Oakland studio. The trip was a great success all around. A visit along the same lines to Sam Maloof’s shop in Alta Loma, CA, could possibly be arranged, and no doubt there are other well-known makers/artists within a reasonable distance that might welcome interest and a visit by a group such as ours. There is also interest in touring architecural sites such as any of the Greene & Greene houses in California, etc.
Workshops - A suggestion was made that we might be able to bring in a well-known maker/artist/teacher to conduct a weekend workshop in a specific technique or process, or just to talk about his/her work. Expenses would have to be borne by the group, which could include travel and lodging, materials, honorariums, etc.
Group Projects - in order to spur creativity within the group, there is universal support for ideas such as the multiple-maker group project (see ‘Who’s Your Daddy?’). Two previous such projects have been completed. In addition a couple of design challenges were proposed for individual work (see ‘Simple Chairs’ and ‘TSA Examiners Cup Challenge’ on the projects page).
Shows and Marketing - although the WSG is not a professional group per se, there is some interest in exploiting our group-ness (!) in ways that might help promote marketability and exposure for those who care to take advantage of it. Great appreciation was expressed for Steve Makin’s efforts over the years to promote his bi-annual woodworking shows, in which several WSG members have participated. It was suggested that there is perhaps the opportunity for more such shows, in intervening years, if someone from the group is willing to volunteer to coordinate and do the legwork involved.
Other ideas along these lines included producing occasional 1-day shows of work by group members, in a home or shop or other suitable setting, with a targeted, invited audience. Another idea was to create a profile section on the web site where members can publish information about themselves and images of their work.
These and many other ideas were discussed at the meeting. As always in a group made up of volunteers, it’s up to all of us to keep working these ideas over and taking the initiative to see some of them through. To help promote the discussion, let me subtly point out, again, that this web site is structured as a blog (HEY! … it’s a B-L-O-G!). If you have comments or ideas and want to make them heard, you can post ‘em here.
D. Fleming
