From trunk to table

GEORGE NEWS - George Tourism, in partnership with the Association of Woodturners of South Africa, the George Woodworkers Club and the Nelson Mandela University George Campus, are launching the Woodworking Revival@George Festival on 22 to 24 September at the Wilderness Hotel.

George has a rich timber history and one of the best kept secrets of the area is the number of talented craftsmen who reside here, including John Wessels, a worldwide top 10 woodturner and master, who will give demonstrations at the event.

The festival will provide specialist and would-be woodworkers an opportunity to see the latest equipment and to watch craftsmen share their skill.

Highlights of the weekend include a gallery featuring the best of the finished pieces from across South Africa, specialist turning techniques such as Chinese ball, basket weave illusion and putting the urn into turning, woodworking enhancements including pyrography, resins, texturing, carving, design, stone inlay and finishes, demonstrations of the latest woodturning and woodworking equipment, equipment and supplies discounts, a schools programme as well as demonstrations of how to get the most out of your equipment.

Woodturning is recognised as an art form where the end product may or may not have an application. Wood-turned art pieces are prominently displayed in some of the most notable art galleries around the world and there are a number of private collectors who have adorned their homes with magnificent pieces. Lisakhanya Ndovela of Nelson Mandela University, a self-taught pyrographer, will create an image of Madiba on a wooden platter turned by the keynote demonstrator, John Wessels. The finished artwork will be handed over to the George Museum.

For more information about the event visit www.georgetourism.org.za or www.awsa.org.za.

The festival aims at reviving interest in the art of woodwork among the younger generations.