West Mayo Woodturners win top award at national seminar

The newly-formed West Mayo Woodturners has won an award at the 2024 Irish National Seminar.

Last year marked the formation of an exciting new chapter of the Irish Woodturners’ Guild (IWG) in Westport, West Mayo Woodturners.

With a unique focus on both artistic and utilitarian woodturning, this new chapter has an inclusive approach and international reach.

In under a year, West Mayo Woodturners has attracted a diverse membership spanning all age groups and an equal balance of women and men.

The chapter’s innovative use of live-streaming for demonstration nights allows members from across the globe to participate, with woodturners from the USA and Canada already among its ranks.

At the 2024 Irish National Seminar, West Mayo Woodturners made a strong debut.

They entered the Chapter Challenge—bringing together their local and international members to create an award-winning project depicting Dr Dolittle and a Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

Despite being only three months old, the Chapter collaborated via Zoom calls, with members from across Ireland, the USA and Canada.

Their effort was rewarded with first place in the challenge, an incredible achievement for such a young club.

The Westport Town Hall Theatre is now displaying the winning entry in the front window alongside the Lego Paddington Bear.

So, go along and see what imaginary creatures can be made on a woodturning lathe.

The chapter is committed to building strong community engagement and is actively seeking collaborative opportunities with other arts and crafts organisations, both locally and internationally.

Members of West Mayo Woodturners showcased their work in the open call exhibition at Westival, Westport’s renowned music and arts festival with several pieces being sold to the public.

West Mayo Woodturners is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment for woodturners of all skill levels.

They invite anyone with an interest in woodturning—whether beginner or experienced—to join their growing community.