Unfortunately, our demonstrator for tomorrow, Hal Simmons, has once again been deployed by the Red Cross. He’s in Alabama serving those affected by the tornadoes. I made alternate arrangements and Mark Sillay will demo for us. Mark will show his slicing techniques for both spindle and bowl turning and how he virtually eliminates all sanding. He will also bring some wood for out raffle. (Mark has lots of wood)
//Harvey Meyer – Program Chairman//
Bio from Mark Sillay (Feb 2007)
I started turning in Rochester, NY when I was in 9th grade shop class. After Vietnam I lived in Alabama until 1982 and have been in the Atlanta area since. I’m now retired and enjoy wood turning, teaching, and recovering all kinds of native Georgia wood which I keep in a warehouse for all the woodturners who are interested in such a resource. Everybody up here calls it the “candy store” for wood turners.
I demonstrate at woodturning clubs, woodturning events, art and craft shows, and for children. I teach classes and have individual instruction at my studio.
I love turning end grain and small, one-of-a-kind art items featuring burls, ant chambers, grow overs, hollows and any weird formations in the wood I find. I also make many useful items such as bowls, cutting boards, wine stoppers, weed pots, bud and flower vases with glass inserts, all kinds of candle bases with glass inserts, ornaments and small vessels.
Examples of my current work are on display at Sabra Gallery in Atlanta.
//webmaster//