for the advancement and promotion of the craft of woodturning
Past Events of the WGO
Meeting on October 8th
David Bell will be demonstrating Pepper Mills and Embellishing
David's Bio
David Bell has been an avid Woodworking and Woodturning enthusiast for over 40 years. His experience, passion and knowledge of wood
with other mixed media, makes his woodturning unique to the art and craft it has become.
David’s passion has been influenced through self-taught practice and other leading woodworkers worldwide.
David has been graciously passing on some of his knowledge to other Woodturners within Ontario and abroad.
David’s teachings have even showcased him as a special guest for the American Association of Woodturners.
David currently teaches his craft through invitations and special request groups,
as well as hosting classes in his workshop. David is a member of the Elora Fergus Studio Tour.
David is the President of the Waterloo Wellington Woodturners Guild located in Waterloo, Ontario.
WGO 1st Skills Meeting of the 2026/27 Season - September 24th
Woodturning equipment maintenance!
We will be doing a long overdue maintenance and inventory on our lathes, chucks and other equipment.
While we are working on the WGO equipment, you can also tune up your equipment.
So - bring your:
Lathe - if you can carry it in
- or -
Bring the tailstock and banjo as they are the items that are most likely to need some TLC.
Learn how to take the tailstock and banjo apart to clean and lubricate.
Bring your chuck(s), you will learn how to take them apart, clean and lubricate.
Bring your grinder (if it's portable enough). Learn how to balance your grinding wheels.
WGO 1st Meeting of the 2026/27 Season
Featuring Jim Williams demonstrating Turning Wiskey Cups
Jim is the current President of the Kawartha Woodturners Guild.
He has obtained a great deal of experience and knowledge in a very short time.
He just started turning in 2019 and, at that time, attended a Hands On retreat in Texas.
Later in 2020 he did one-to-one classes with Chris Ramsey in Kentucky
and in 2022 he also did classes with JoHannes Michelson in Vermont.
Jim has demonstrated at regional clubs and was a guest demonstrator at
the Southwest Association of Woodturners (SWAT) Symposium in Texas.
All of this has helped to hone his skills in making unique wooden hats.
He has attended a number of AAW regional symposiums to further his woodturning education
and his pieces were featured in the AAW Journal in Oct 2022. You can find out a bit more about
Jim and his work from his website www.turningtrees.ca and
his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100036417909688.
Please be aware that in order to enter the Salon, your membership must already be fully paid
at least 2 days before the competition date.
Thursday, April 9th Demonstration
High-Winged Natural Edge Bowl by Lionel Bedard
More pictures and the description of the process can be found
here
I am a local artist, born and raised in Ottawa.
I have always been drawn to the world of wood. My first lathe was purchased over twenty-five years
ago when I started woodturning.
Eventually progressing to a 24 inch swing lathe allowed me to create larger pieces.
I was a founding member of the Bytown Woodturners in Ottawa and have remained very active.
Our club holds many hands-on workshops of which I am one of the instructors.
I particularly enjoy encouraging new turners to grow their skills
so they can discover the endless possibilities of woodturning.
Chris Sisson is a 48 year old Japanese-Canadian woodturner born,
raised and based out of Hamilton, Ontario. Known for whimsical and often technically
demanding projects from puzzle boxes to micro turning his work bridges traditional
craftsmanship with modern artistry and a sense of humor.
Often incorporating a variety of traditional techniques and new technologies such
as Ukibori, laser engraving and dyed finishes to add texture and vibrant colors
to his various works both functional and artistic.
An active member of the woodturning
community and proud member of the Golden Horseshoe Woodturners Guild he often shares
his expertise through demonstrations such as the Hamilton Woodworking Show, other woodturning guilds
and online via social media.
Skills Night was a great opportunity to turn a dibber.
What are garden dibbers? Dibblers (gardeners) use dibbers to quickly
make evenly spaced impressions in the soil (or through plastic mulch) in preparation for transplanting.
Thursday, February 12th Demonstration
Wooden bowl Embellishments through different methods of carving
by Victor Raleza
Victor's Biography
My love for woodworking started as far back as high school when I was introduced to a wood
lathe and throughout the years I found myself being drawn back to working with wood
materials.
I’ve been an artist for approximately 15 years with my primary focus being on wooden
Bowls end grain cutting boards and wood carvings. I’ve been fortunate enough to know a lot of
people in the wood industry
As my skill level developed I pushed myself to create a perfect balanced bowl that is ecstatically
pleasing and an eye-catching feature. With the encouragement of family and friends I have
opened myself to the general public and received positive feedback on my design, style as well
as the use of quality materials.
The one thing i always remind myself is to always take away something from every conversation I have
with people and to be open minded to everyone’s perspective and to never duplicate other peoples
work, being original to one’s self gives a person a sense of accomplishment and pride in the end result.
Thursday, January 8th, was our first General Meeting of 2026
Jim Williams, our demonstrator, titled this project.
“The Loons Are Coming”,
and involves turning, carving, and milk paints.
Happy New Year WGO Members!
I hope you all enjoyed a happy and healthy holiday season.
Here are some examples of Jim’s work:
Here is Jim’s bio:
Jim is the current President of the Kawartha Woodturners Guild.
He has obtained a great deal of experience and knowledge in a very short time.
He just started turning in 2019 and, at that time, attended a Hands On retreat in Texas.
Later in 2020 he did one-to-one classes with Chris Ramsey in Kentucky
and in 2022 he also did classes with JoHannes Michelson in Vermont.
Jim has demonstrated at regional clubs and was a guest demonstrator at
the Southwest Association of Woodturners (SWAT) Symposium in Texas.
All of this has helped to hone his skills in making unique wooden hats.
He has attended a number of AAW regional symposiums to further his woodturning education
and his pieces were featured in the AAW Journal in Oct 2022. You can find out a bit more about
Jim and his work from his website www.turningtrees.ca and
his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100036417909688.
turningtool.co.uk now hosted by WGO.ca
The Woodturner's Workshop
Brian Clifford's
woodturning resources
This site was built by Brian Clifford over many years and features many articles, plans
and videos
that are of interest to novice and advanced woodturners alike. Brian has decided to
retire and was
going to allow the site to lapse; however, the WGO has
agreed to host it on his behalf to ensure this great resource continues to be available.
Please have
browse and enjoy it here
WGO at a Glance
See what the WGO is about and what it offers
in 1 document
WGO Flyer
Mark's Amazing Finds
Mark 's latest finds can be found (May 10th 2026)
here
Chris Sisson
