Gallery Video
GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Beautiful wooden art and impressive woodworking machines, equipment and accessories, demonstrated at the hands of some skilful woodturners, were part of a great offering dished up at the weekend's Working with Wood show at Nelson Mandela University (NMU).
Fran Kirsten, show coordinator, said visitors came from all over.
"There were visitors from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Rietbron and as far as Bloemfontein."
Some delightful pieces were exhibited by a top American woodturner, Al Stirt, the keynote demonstrator.
The programme also included a host of South African boffins who held demonstrations. Visitors could watch while items like coffee grinders, platters, bowls, pens and pendants were turned.
Texturing and painting techniques were also demonstrated to show how one can be even more creative with wood.
Click here to see a photo gallery.
George Woodworkers Club partnered with the show organisers to present the event at NMU, and there was an exhibition by its members.
Pupils from three local high schools, Pacaltsdorp, Thembalethu and Outeniqua, enthusiastically took part in a competition presented with the aim of sparking interest in woodwork among youngsters.
According to Mindi Hunt, co-owner of Vermont Sales (PTY) Ltd that sponsored the show, woodworking is no longer offered as a subject at school and this is having a ripple effect on the timber industry.
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"We feel passionate about reawakening woodworking and for us to realise our dream, we must create interest among our youth. The schools competition proved exactly what we have known for a long time: Our youth are hungry for knowledge about this skill."
Roy Marcus, chairman of the Woodturners Association of South Africa whose annual symposium at the NMU was held concurrently with the show, said the university's Wood Technology Department played a huge role in ensuring the success of the event.
He also thanked the George Woodworkers Club for partnering with the organisers to open up the wonderful world of wood to the public.
This was the second year that this annual show was presented.
ARTICLE, VIDEO & PHOTOS: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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