Our Guild was founded in January of 1998 by a handful of local woodworkers with a sincere desire to promote interest and competence in the fine and ancient art of woodworking. Through the sharing of ideas, techniques, inspiration and energies, we seek to improve our understanding and abilities, and promote an appreciation of the craft in our community. Our Guild is open to all members of the commu
nity, regardless of age, gender, woodworking experience, special interest, or amateur or professional status. We are bound together by our appreciation of quality handwork and the desire to refine our skills. Our Guild newsletter, the "Knothead News", will be sent free of charge to interested persons for three consecutive issues. They are invited to attend our every-other-month meeting, and may do so twice without obligation. This should be ample opportunity for a person to judge their compatibility with the goals and temperament of the Guild. Annual dues for the Guild are $12. Presently the dues are used to maintain and enlarge our woodworking video library, and pay for door prizes at our meetings. On occasion, it pays for guest speakers and Guild sponsored activities. Guild meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of all odd numbered months, usually at 7:30 pm. Occasionally, the meeting will be in the form of a field trip and held on the Saturday or Sunday following that Thursday. Various members host the meetings in their shops and homes on a voluntary basis. The host chooses the focus subject of the meeting and presents a demonstration, usually lasting about an hour. The host need not be an expert on the focus subject, and group participation is encouraged. Past meetings are highly varied in subject matter and have included hand cutting dovetail joints, steam bending, carving ball and claw feet, furniture design, stock preparation, building a wood strip canoe, woodworking machine and motor maintenance, sharpening, finishing techniques, tool swap meets, touring small commercial shops and lumber mills, to name but a few. The Central Virginia Woodworkers Guild is a member driven organization. Its success is entirely dependent on the active interest, enthusiasm, and energies of its membership. Presently, we have approximately 50 members.
