A
direct way to introduce the East Tennessee Woodworkers Guild is to
describe the goals of our organization: to promote and advocate the
development and appreciation of superior woodworking skills; to
encourage and recognize consistently high standards of workmanship,
and; to bring our woodworking skills to the public through
participation in shows, exhibitions, demonstrations and similar
activities.
The
Guild was founded in 1983 by five professional woodworkers. Their
motivation was to elevate and support the highest standards within the
craft. Because of their enthusiasm, as well as the auspicious timing
and location of this new organization, the Guild has grown and thrived
over the past quarter century. Now the Guild includes more than 100
members. Today some of our members continue a tradition of making their
living by woodworking, however, most of our members come to us from a
full cross section of professions and vocations. All of the ETWG
members share a deep interest in the craft. Nationally recognized
masters, and novices learning basic woodworking skills in an
environment that nurtures development, are included in our membership.
Each of us seeks to improve our capabilities in areas covering
aesthetics of design, joinery, and hand and power tool techniques, for
example.
We
organize numerous activities centering on woodworking. The biennial
Master Woodworkers Show represents the highest level of woodworking,
and has been opened recently to include skilled masters
in Tennessee and neighboring states outside our membership. Our regular
meetings take place bimonthly at Maryville High School. Each meeting
includes exhibits of members’ work, a featured presentation by an
expert on a woodworking topic, problem solving as well as the
friendship of kindred spirits. Recent presentation topics have included
tree and wood species characteristics, furniture design, and successful
methods in finishing. We sponsor teaching workshops and other
educational activities, visits to members’ woodwork shops, and
occasional field trips to shows and facilities.
We
welcome new members. If you are interested in learning more about the
East Tennessee Woodworkers Guild, please contact one of our officers.
-Lou Mansur
President