Ottawa TurnFest 2026
Valley Woodturners will be hosting Ottawa TurnFest 2026 here in the nation's capital on 23 and 24 May 2026. See below for further details.
PROGRAM
We have a lineup of three exceptional world-class wood artists for Ottawa TurnFest 2026:
PROGRAM
We have a lineup of three exceptional world-class wood artists for Ottawa TurnFest 2026:
Art Liestman:
Art has exhibited and taught throughout North America. His website is at https://www.artliestman.com/. A recent article on him in the April 2025 American Woodturner may be downloaded here. He will be demonstrating the therming and lost wood processes. Articles on these two topics may be downloaded directly from his website. Photo credits - Kenji Nagai.
Art has exhibited and taught throughout North America. His website is at https://www.artliestman.com/. A recent article on him in the April 2025 American Woodturner may be downloaded here. He will be demonstrating the therming and lost wood processes. Articles on these two topics may be downloaded directly from his website. Photo credits - Kenji Nagai.
Dale Larson:
Dale, along with Glenn Lucas and Mike Mahoney, is one of the most accomplished bowl turners in the world. His biography is here. He will show how to cut a log to obtain the best grain patterns and figure, how to season and dry the wood (along with extensive handouts), and will then turn a madrone salad bowl which will be drawn for one of the door prizes. An article on him in the 2019 American Woodturner may be downloaded here.
Dale, along with Glenn Lucas and Mike Mahoney, is one of the most accomplished bowl turners in the world. His biography is here. He will show how to cut a log to obtain the best grain patterns and figure, how to season and dry the wood (along with extensive handouts), and will then turn a madrone salad bowl which will be drawn for one of the door prizes. An article on him in the 2019 American Woodturner may be downloaded here.
Elizabeth Weber:
Elizabeth was recognised as an outstanding young talent at the 2023 AAW symposium. There is a short video of her showing and discussing her work at the symposium at https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtDySqZA3e3/. Her website is at https://icosawood.work/. An
article on her in the February 2024 American Woodturner may be downloaded here. Elizabeth will demonstrate adding textures and carving to any turned piece, where you can find inspiration for your work, the importance of storyboards, layout methods, different work holding methods, and how to successfully use your tools to achieve a carved and textured surface. This will include ways to bring out the natural beauty of the wood or add additional textures to the piece through the use of various power tools and hand tools. She will touch a little bit on different
methods of adding color, such as milk paint and acrylics, and different finishes, depending on what you are hoping to achieve with your work.
Elizabeth was recognised as an outstanding young talent at the 2023 AAW symposium. There is a short video of her showing and discussing her work at the symposium at https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtDySqZA3e3/. Her website is at https://icosawood.work/. An
article on her in the February 2024 American Woodturner may be downloaded here. Elizabeth will demonstrate adding textures and carving to any turned piece, where you can find inspiration for your work, the importance of storyboards, layout methods, different work holding methods, and how to successfully use your tools to achieve a carved and textured surface. This will include ways to bring out the natural beauty of the wood or add additional textures to the piece through the use of various power tools and hand tools. She will touch a little bit on different
methods of adding color, such as milk paint and acrylics, and different finishes, depending on what you are hoping to achieve with your work.
LOCATION
Confederation Education Centre Cafetorium (formerly Confederation High School)
1645 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa, Ontario
K2G 1W2
Confederation Education Centre Cafetorium (formerly Confederation High School)
1645 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa, Ontario
K2G 1W2
SCHEDULE
Saturday May 23rd
9:00 – 12:00 Dale Larson. Short coffee break midway
12:00- 1:00 Lunch (provided)
1:00 – 4:00 Art Liestman. Short coffee break midway
Sunday May 24th
9:00-12:00 Elizabeth Weber. Short coffee break midway
12:00-1:00 Lunch (provided)
1:00-2:00 Draws, door prizes and wrap-up.
Saturday May 23rd
9:00 – 12:00 Dale Larson. Short coffee break midway
12:00- 1:00 Lunch (provided)
1:00 – 4:00 Art Liestman. Short coffee break midway
Sunday May 24th
9:00-12:00 Elizabeth Weber. Short coffee break midway
12:00-1:00 Lunch (provided)
1:00-2:00 Draws, door prizes and wrap-up.
COST
REGISTRATION
Registration is now open to the general public and to members of the Valley Woodturners. To register, please complete the on-line form here. Check-in at the event site on 23 and 24 May 26 will be between 8:00 AM and 8:50 AM each day. Space is limited so we encourage everyone to register early to avoid disappointment.
There will also an opportunity to attend workshops with Art Liestman or Elizabeth Weber on 24 and 25 May 2026 at an additional cost. For further details please go here.
ACCOMMODATION
For out-of-towners, closest to the Confederation Education Centre and less than a 10 minute drive away, on the west side of the Hunt Club bridge, are
- The 36-unit Rideau Heights Inn motel ( http://www.rideauheightsinn.com/ ) on Prince of Wales Drive.
- The Ramada by Wyndham ( https://www.ramadaottawa.com/ ) on Prince of Wales Drive.
- The Sandman Airport Hotel ( https://www.sandmanhotels.com/signature-ottawa-airport ) on Hunt Club Road.
EATERIES
There are many good places to eat along Hunt Club Road, between the Confederation Education Centre and the airport. On Friday and Saturday nights reservations are often recommended. We can provide suggestions.
SPONSORS
A huge thank you to our corporate sponsors who have been so generous in the support of Turnfest 2026!!
