Original Totem Poles

The original totem poles at Arrowmont were erected on October 25, 1990. All 36 chapters of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) were invited to participate in a “design by turning” unity totem project in anticipation of the 4th AAW symposium to be hosted by Arrowmont that year. Twenty-four of the 36 chapters of the AAW contributed segments. Two, three-inch galvanized pipes support the structures comprised of 40 to 50 separate turnings. Most of the segments were shipped to Arrowmont in crates, and AAW officers spent several days before the symposium making necessary adjustments and final assembly. The upper pole was topped by the logo of the AAW, and lower pole topped by the Tennessee host chapter’s coonskin cap with spinning propeller. The mission and membership of the AAW has since grown and remained strong

Mother Nature has taken her toll, weathering the totems into a state of disrepair. The AAW is dedicated to the rebuilding of totem poles to preserve the roots of the AAW and its history with Arrowmont, whose commitment to the education of woodturning has played an integral part in shaping contemporary woodturning as an art form.

The concept of the AAW was formed in 1985 at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts when nearly 200 woodturners attended a weekend symposium. In the early 1980s, Arrowmont was one of the few schools in the country where one could teach or learn the art of woodturning. The AAW became an official organization in 1986 with a membership of approximately 100 members—today membership is approaching 9,000.

The Ohio Valley Woodturners Guild took and active part in the design and furnishing parts for the Arrowmont Totem Poles when they were originally built in 1990.

2003 A New Totem Pole

In late 2002 the Ohio Valley Woodturners Guild was contacted and requested to furnish new parts for the rebuilding of the totem poles at Arrowmont. As a result of this request a team of Guild members set out to furnish new cypress parts. Cypress is used to help withstand ageing and weathering.

Guild members contributing to the procurement, turning and assembly operations included Jerry Burns, Bruce Gibson, Pete Kekel, Mark Twigg, Joe Keeler, John Lannom, Lowell Converse and Keith Bundy.

At the left is the newly completed Ohio Valley Woodturners Guild portion of the Totem Pole. The design has three shaped pillars which represent the three States of our Guild members; Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The assembly was completed in March 2003. This section now is in Gatlinburg, TN being assembled to other sections furnished by numerous chapters of the American Association of Woodturners, (AAW).

If you are in the Gatlinburg, TN area be sure to stop at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, not only to see the Totem Poles but, also go into the Center, to see the fine exhibitions of the arts and crafts, visit their book store and be sure to visit their outstanding wood turning center.

Shown above are the new totem poles, at Arrowmont, under construction during the month of April 2003. The Ohio Valley Woodturners Guild contribution is near the top of the pole on the left. The three posts and the light cypress wood identifies the Guild's contribution, (click on the photo for a larger view).