The presentation will be on establishing size/proportion/shape, turning two-piece hollow forms, turning finials, use of alcohol inks, and finishing.

Meet the Instructor: Glen Cowan

Glen Cowan was raised in the small town of Butler, Alabama where he spent many days on our family land along the banks of the Tombigbee River. He inherited my love of wood from his grandfather, who was a farmer and “timber man”, and his dad who was hauling timber with a mule team at the age of 13. His grandfather was very knowledgeable on timber and even won a case against the Federal government when he presented a croker sack of wood cut offs that showed how his land would grow in timber.

He is an orthodontist by profession attending UA, UAB, and UNC for my under-graduate, dental, and orthodontic training. He has been married to my wonderful wife, Donna, for 39 years. He have two adult sons, Will and Matt, along with one grandson and another grandson on the way.

He has  been woodturning for approximately 10 years. He was mentored by great turners including Ed Allen, George Shelton, Maurice Clabaugh, and Bill Hubbard.

Cowan started turning turkey pot call and strikers, then expanded into bowls then to hollow forms which is now my main interest. Glen Cowan especially enjoys turning spalted wood but struggled to find good turning stock.

We all know there is a fine line between spalted and rotten. This led Cowan down the “rabbit hole” of attempting to create a spalted look using alcohol inks. He has not mastered the spalted look but did find he  would create interesting grain patterns and colors using alcohol inks.

ALABAMA WOODTURNER'S ASSOCIATION CLASS SERIES: TBD

Be sure to attend the AWA meeting in the morning (9:00 AM at Hardware Park https://alabamawoodturners.com/meetings/)

Are Minors allowed? Only if accompanied by parent.

What to wear: You must dress safely and appropriately. Arrive for class in long pants, and closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with socks that protect up to the ankle. Long sleeves should be avoided if possible and rolled up if necessary. Long hair must be tied back and dangly necklaces, earrings or other accessories shall be removed before starting the class. Additional protective gear will be provided as needed. Masks may be required depending on circumstances.