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Promoting the art and craft of wood turning in the greater Cincinnati area

Date: 1/18/2023
Subject: Kip Christensen Classes
From: David Wright



KIP CHRISTENSEN CLASSES
  Kip's classes start tomorrow and unfortunately, there are very few people registered.  The good thing is that those who are signed up are going to get a lot of quality instruction time from Kip. 
   I am always bothered when we have low attendance for classes and have talked with several people to get their thoughts on "why".  There are basically three reasons that I hear.  One is that "I know how to do all that stuff", the second is "I am not a good enough turner to take the classes" and the third is cost.  For the first excuse my feeling is that none of us are so good that we cannot learn something from taking a class, whether you intend to make that exact item or not.  For the second excuse (and I had some of the same feelings) my position is you get better by taking classes and working with people who know how to instruct.  And where better to take a class than in our own Learning Center where you are with fellow woodturners in a nonthreatening environment.  Now as for cost, I know that can be a barrier, but looking at the fact that you get to spend six or more hours with a professional woodturner plus all the materials are provided and you get to go home and sleep in our own bed at night, where else can you beat it.  
  I know that some of you may take offense at my over-simplification of the reasons but I strongly believe you cannot get this level of instruction at this cost anywhere else.  
  Below is a copy of an email I received from KC Kendall regarding the issue I addressed above.  This was an unsolicited email which addresses some of the same topics that I and others wrestle with when scheduling demonstrators and classes.
Dear fellow OVWG members:
It seems that not many of us have signed up for one of Kip Christiansen’s classes.  
I would like to encourage you to reconsider doing so.
WHY TAKE A CLASS FROM A PROFESSIONAL:  My personal experience is that it is a great way to make a big improvement in your turning skills in a short time. Plus, they are always nice people and fun to talk to.
WHAT ABOUT KIP:  I have learned a lot about who professional professional turners are and what they are good at during over two years working with the AAW.  Kip is one of the absolute best instructors around.
WHAT IF I DON’T CARE FOR THE PROJECT BEING OFFERED:  The project is just a mechanism to teach skills.  You may never do the project again.  Or you might do it.  Or you might do something like it.  Or it may inspire you to do something that builds on what you learned.
A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY:  Having the Learning Center is just part of “normal life” to most of us now.  It’s been in operation for over 7 years.  Almost all of the 350+ woodturning clubs in the US and around the world don’t have this.  Most clubs don’t have 5 or 6 or 6 professionals coming to demonstrate and teach classes each year. Most turners have to pay $700 or more plus materials plus meals plus lodging to take a week of lessons from professionals from places like Arrowmont or Marc Adams or John C. Campbell.
KC Kendall