Part of the appeal of this event was the opportunity to meet and really spend time with other turners from all over the world and to learn from some first-class professionals.
Due to the size of the event (it was initially limited to 300 participants but 400 actually attended), there was more time for one-on-one conversations after the demonstrations, over dinner, or just over a beer on the town square. |
Jean-Francois' workshop, just outside of town at Les Massots, was open much of the time and you could always find several demonstrators there who, despite working on something, were more than willing to stop and have a discussion with you. Needless to say, I made many new friends and came away with a lot of new ideas to try in my own turning. | This has taken him (and them) out of the
workshop and away from the primary goal of developing new ideas and creating new work. Ray Key mentioned in one of his presentations that his work was not where it could have been through the years because he had taken time to be a driving force in establishing the British turning organization. |
The professional turners were very generous with their time and we were able to get to know
them beyond what we've read in the press.
I spent time in the exhibition talking to Terry Martin and found myself having an impromptu breakfast of pain au chocolat with Richard Raffan, Ray Key, Bonnie Klein and several others outside the boulangerie one morning. | Leaving on the Monday following the event, I stopped by Les Massots, to say good bye to Jean-Francois.
Asked if he would be doing another AFTAB Congress, he
rolled his eyes and said he did not know. Asked that same question after the first Congress held in 2000, I'm told his reply was "no way", so we will just have to wait and see. | It's important to recognize and appreciate the personal sacrifices these people have made in building the organizations and organizing the events that they have.
I hope Jean-Francois can be talked into organizing a third Congress and have already
started contributing to my travel fund... just in case. |
With a steel drum concert in the background, Michael Hosaluk and I had an extended conversation about the factors that influence our designs. | Organizing an event of this magnitude was a full-time job for Jean-Francois and his team for much of the last two years. | |
