About Front Range Woodturners

We are the Denver area chapter of the AAW (American Association of Woodturners) serving woodturners throughout Colorado’s Front Range.

Our Meetings

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:15 PM to 9:00 PM in the basement of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 2553 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, 80222.

Visitors are welcome to join us at one of our meetings to see what we are all about.

Upcoming Demonstrations

Jan – Bob Franklin –  Winged Bowl

Bob grew up in New Mexico and has been woodworking since his teens. After moving to Colorado in 1989, he discovered woodturning around 2009 when he restored a 1930s lathe and began teaching himself the craft. He later joined Rocky Mountain Woodturners, Front Range Woodturners, and Pens Plus, serving as EOG Chair for FRW and President of Rocky Mountain Woodturners.

Bob and his wife, Cindy, also ran a successful resin-casting business, producing hybrid blanks sold worldwide before returning their focus to woodturning as a hobby. Bob has demonstrated for multiple clubs and at the Rocky Mountain Woodturning Symposium.

For this demo, Bob will share his approach to creating winged bowls with carved feet, showcasing techniques he has developed for these distinctive pieces.

In addition to seeing his work at monthly meetings, you can also find it on Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/franklinscreativecorner/

Feb – Don Prorak –  Square to Round Hollowed Box with a Spinning Top Lid

Don Prorak is a musician, music teacher, composer, and woodturner based in Chicago. His diverse musical career spans classical, jazz, rock, pop, musical theater, and world music. He has taught music at all levels, from elementary to university. Don has focused on steel pans from Trinidad & Tobago for several decades, performing and immersing himself in the culture.

Don began woodworking in the 1980s and later embraced woodturning, becoming serious about the craft in 2012. He joined the FRW in 2014, and since retiring from teaching in 2016, has taken on leadership roles, including Youth Mentor, VP/Program Director, and President (2024–’25). Don is also a member of AAW and other local clubs.

He has studied with notable woodturners and specializes in pieces featuring “Wings, Rings, & Off-center Things.” For his upcoming demo, Don will showcase his unique square-to-round box with a spinning top lid, featuring intricate turning, carving, and pyrography techniques.

Demonstrators for 2026:
Mar – Kalia Kliban – Milk Paint or Porringers      https://kaliakliban.com/woodworking/ 
Apr – Pat Carroll (from Ireland)
May – 
Jun – 
Jul – 
Aug – Michael Anderson – Spin Top on Coin Bearing
Sep –
Oct – J.Paul Fennel
Nov – 
Dec – Holiday Party 

Member Benefits

• Library – The Front Range Woodturners has an extensive collection of books, magazines, and videos available for members to check out at no cost.
• Demonstrations – Monthly meetings feature an exciting demo given by one of our club members or a professional turner. When available we also offer a full day hands-on class with these renowned turners at a nominal cost.
• Brown Bag Demo – Bring your lunch and watch a free in-person mini demo on a variety of topics in a smaller, more relaxed setting.
• Wood Drawing – Members can bring some of their excess (good) wood to a meeting so it can find a new home with a different member.  You can never have too much wood!
• Group Buy – Do you want to save money?  We have vendor discounts with Internet suppliers, local suppliers, tool and steel suppliers and wood suppliers. Through our deals with these vendors our members can easily earn back the cost of membership!
• Ladies of the Lathe – All female members of the FRW, aged 18 or older, are invited to join the Ladies of the Lathe. LOTL is intended to provide a comfortable, easy-paced, and non-threatening environment for women to learn and advance their skills in turning.
• Mentoring – Members have access to several programs to help increase their woodturning skills. Group sessions are held monthly and one-on-one mentoring on various topics can be arranged with experienced FRW volunteers.
• PHEOG – The Pete Holtus Educational Opportunity Grant program provides grant money to members through an application process. Applicants may request money for woodturning related classes, workshops, or symposium fees.
• Workshop Tours – monthly tour of members workshop. Get ideas and get inspired!