NCW Woodturning Competition
First Annual
NCW WOODTURNING COMPETITION
OCTOBER 23RD-24TH • HICKORY METRO CONVENTION CENTER
RULES
Categories
There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each category
- Open Vessel
- Boxes
- Bowls
- Natural Edge Bowls
- Hollow Form
- Bird House And Feeders
- Ornaments
- Pens And Pencils
- Platters
- Segmented
- Spindles
Best of Show awards will be awarded in the Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Professional divisions. Which division best describes your current level of woodturning experience and skill?
• NOVICE those who are still learning basic skills but want to show their work.
• INTERMEDIATE those who possess good basic skills and are continuing woodturning enthusiasts.
• ADVANCED those who possess excellent skills in many areas of woodturning.
• PROFESSIONAL those who earn an income from teaching and/or woodturning work.
• What level will you want to show in “1E early turnings thru today?”
• Selling Your Work: If you wish to sell a piece, please include a sale price. All sales are cash only and will be handled by event
organizers.
• Any piece that is sold prior to judging will be withdrawn from competition and will not be eligible for awards in that category.
Prizes
There will be Best of Show ribbons and prizes in Novice, Intermediate, Advance, and Professional.
- 1st place $150
- 2nd place $100,
- 3rd place $50 in each category.
Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop is also going to judge and give the best overall of their choosing in all categories and turning levels and reward
- $250 gift card to Overall Best of Show.
Rules
1. Entry forms must be completed for entries.
2. Turnings may not be removed, once entered until 4 PM Saturday, October 24, 2026, unless sold.
3. Judges’ decisions are final.
4. All entries will have an assigned number for judging purposes. Name cards or business cards will be allowed after judging is completed.
• Entries are submitted at the sole risk of the entrant. The sponsors will not be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from
any causes. Normal precautions will be taken to provide safety and security.
• Turnings will be judged on the merit of their craftsmanship, design, and finished qualities. This includes, but is not limited to,
the technical difficulty, originality, and skill of the execution of the work.
• Turnings will not be accepted into competition after 8:30 Saturday, October 24, 2026.
• Judging begins promptly at 9 AM Saturday, October 24, 2026. The competition area will be closed until the judging is completed
for all categories.
Judges
Darryl Jones
Darryl Jones has been a dedicated woodworker for more than 30 years, including over a decade as an avid woodturner. Originally from Central Florida, he has made South Carolina his home in recent years.
Darryl’s journey into woodturning began while working for a school district, where he met a fellow craftsman who created Native American flutes. That friendship sparked a new passion when his colleague gifted him an old Craftsman lathe and a few well-worn tools — a gesture that set the course for his ongoing exploration of the craft.
While Darryl continues to enjoy box making and furniture design, woodturning has become his primary artistic focus. He is especially drawn to creating hollow forms and sculptural art pieces, embracing a flexible and intuitive approach that allows the wood itself to guide each project. Rather than imposing rigid plans, he responds to the natural variations, textures, and character of the material — a collaboration between maker and nature.
Over the years, Darryl has shared his expertise as both a demonstrator and instructor, teaching classes at venues such as Woodcraft and Rockler. His experience also extends internationally, having served as a demonstrator and brand ambassador for companies including NOVA Teknatool, Robert Sorby, and Easy Wood Tools, among others.
Driven by a love for the craft and a deep respect for the material, Darryl’s ongoing goal is to continue growing as an artist while inspiring and enriching the woodworking experience for others.
Chris Stinson
Chris Stinson is a fifth-generation woodworker and a third-generation woodturner. Chris began woodworking at age 14 and found his love for teaching at age 16 when he became a merit badge teacher and counselor at Boy Scout Camp Bud Shiele, teaching all handicraft-related merit badges.
When Chris started taking classes at college, he found a part time sales associate job at Klingspor's Woodworking Shop. There, his passion for woodworking and teaching grew, leading him to work full time as assistant manager at the Hickory store, and then move up to become a Purchaser and Technical Specialist. Chris's specialties are Woodturning, hand tools, and Green woodworking.
Tim Simmons
Tim Simmons developed a passion for woodworking at an early age, learning alongside his father and grandparents and gaining an appreciation for craftsmanship and the beauty of working with wood. He began woodturning in his teens and continued to refine his skills throughout his twenties and thirties, building a lifelong dedication to the craft that now spans more than three decades.
Currently in his late 40s, Tim remains an active member of the woodturning community and has been a member of the NC Woodturners Club for over 15 years. During that time, he has served in numerous leadership roles, including President, Vice President, and Board Member, helping support the club's growth and promote woodturning education and fellowship among members.
Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, Tim appreciates both traditional and contemporary turning techniques and values craftsmanship, creativity, design, and technical excellence. He is honored to serve as a judge and looks forward to recognizing the skill, artistry, and dedication demonstrated by this year's competitors.