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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Acclaimed woodworker visits Spokane for demonstration

Internationally acclaimed woodturner Ashley Harwood is shown working at her lathe. Harwood, based in North Carolina, will be in Spokane for two woodworking demonstrations Friday.

Woodturning is considered a man cave activity by many, and that’s one reason Ashley Harwood stands out. Harwood is an internationally recognized woodturner who creates stunning burl wood bowls and jewelry using a lathe.

She’s based in Charleston, N.C., but on Friday she’s doing two demonstration workshops at Riverview Retirement Community.

Riverview is hosting the demonstrations in its new 2,160-square-foot woodshop in conjunction with Inland Northwest Woodturners.

“We have woodworking clubs coming up from Kennewick to see this,” said Christie Hoffman, Riverview director of public relations.

Harwood was originally a glassblower. Although she still works in other materials, woodturning has become her main focus.

Riverview resident and woodturner Ron Gooley is hosting Harwood during her stay in Spokane.

“We were so impressed with her,” Hoffman said. “She is young, and she is a very talented artist.”

The three-hour woodworking demonstrations are aimed at novices and accomplished hobbyists.

Hoffman said the new woodshop – which features work benches, cutting and sculpting tools, and equipment for many different kinds of woodworking – is the perfect setting for the demonstrations.

“It’s our way of showing that it’s possible for people to keep doing what they’ve always enjoyed doing when they move into Riverview,” Hoffman said.