FOCUS IS THE KEY

Story and photos by Marise Boehs, staff writer

I began this story with a photo assignment at the State Fair. When I got home and downloaded the shots from the Central Oklahoma Woodturners Association demonstration, what I saw in each one was intense focus.

As I began to talk with the people involved, the underlying message was “focus is absolutely required” – for safety and success.

Paul Rupe, an Army veteran, has been woodturning seriously for 5-6 years. I asked him what the benefits of woodturning would be to a veteran. He said,  “The way you have to focus on the wood and turning shuts out all outside thoughts and feelings. It is very therapeutic.”

He went on the say that the club has a number of veteran members and they are always available to share and help others.

Jason Kang, COWA board member, has been turning for 15 years. He comes from a background of teaching others and has taken that experience into his club association as a mentor to new members. He, too, talked about the therapeutic aspect of woodturning. He also said, “It is an expensive hobby.” But it need not be cost prohibitive. COWA membership has cost saving benefits.

COWA has grown since 1987 when a small group of woodworkers interested in wood turning set out to form a club dedicated to woodturning to serve the Oklahoma City and surrounding area.  COWA’s mission is to provide an organization through club meetings; to provide instruction through demonstrations and classes; and to promote the craft and art of woodturning.

The club hosts monthly meetings with woodturning demonstrations and discussion.  Meetings are held at 6:30 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the Room 102 of Building B at Metro Technology Center, 4901 S. Bryant, Oklahoma City.

The first meeting of each quarter is a show-and-tell meeting with members showing and discussing their latest creations.  Raffles are held for prizes and for turned items created by members.

Each year, COWA teaches 10 Saturday classes.  Fall classes are considered novice classes and the Spring classes are for more advanced turners.     Beginning in 2025 these classes will be held at our new COWA shop in downtown Oklahoma City.

A valuable benefit of club membership is the  extensive collection of turning videos in our DVD library.   The library is made available at each monthly club meeting.

The club also has open studio time where members come to turn, teach, learn, talk, with fellow club members. Bring your own tools or use the club’s tools. Affordable classes and studio time, can get an interested person involved without a lot of expense. Club dues are $30 a year.

For more information, to check the class schedule and join the club, check out www.centralokwoodturners.com.

With a long-standing interest in woodworking and a background in making cutting boards, I felt inclined to challenge myself further.

The art of woodturning captivated me after observing a craftsman at Silver Dollar City creating rolling pins on a lathe. Later, while scrolling through Facebook Marketplace, I found a lathe for sale at a reasonable price. I decided to take the opportunity, bought the lathe, and initiated my woodturning endeavors by crafting pens and small items.

As I progressed, I sought out instructional classes to enhance my skills. This search led me to the COWA classes, which are offered twice a year.

Through these classes, I have gained valuable knowledge and insights over the past 4-5 years, and I continue to attend, refining my skills and fostering a lifelong passion for woodturning.                                   Carolyn Robbins