Wood Turning Center

Description

Established in 1986 in Philadelphia, our name refers to the turning and shaping of materials on a lathe using tools. Historically, common turned objects included wooden bowls and architectural elements for chairs and buildings. Wood and other materials are fastened on the lathe and the turner carves and shapes the material as it revolves. Now artists, using their imagination and creativity, use the lathe and other techniques to create the contemporary wood art sculpture you will see today.

The Center displays wood art on site and in our traveling exhibitions and publications. Our International Turning Exchange (ITE) residency program has involved over 60 international residents as it continues through its second decade. The Community Outreach program brings hands-on wood turning experience to students throughout the region. The permanent collection contains over 1,000 objects from around the world, ranging from traditional functional every day objects to contemporary sculpture. Our research library consists of over 25,000 images, artists’ files and books that help preserve the exciting history of wood turning and its continuing evolution as a contemporary art form. Please help support our programs by becoming an annual member today!