Ash Project

Ash die-back is a serious disease of Ash trees caused by the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. The disease was first detected in Ireland in 2012 and is now prevalent throughout the island, this will likely lead to the death of most Ash trees over the next 20 years. 

To highlight this critical issue and create a lasting body of work of native Ash pieces, each guild member is invited to participate and create a turned piece for TT40 - To register your piece, fill out the form below.

Guidelines

Please see below some guidelines relating to the pieces and participation in the project.

1. 15cm - 6” cubed piece of Ash will be made available to members through their chapter, all pieces being distributed by the end of May 2023.

2. Online registration form will be available on the IWG website from June 1st where the pieces must be registered to be included. For those unable to use this method a paper-based form will be made available to the chapter secretaries, who will be asked to email same to the TT40 co-ordinator.

3. Finished pieces to be returned through the chapters by Friday September 9th, 2023. Chapters that close during the summer months need to organise with their secretary for the collation of the pieces for return. A copy of the Registration form should be included with the piece.

4. All pieces will be on display at the National Seminar in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan on October 7th, and 8th.

5. 40 pieces will be picked by the demonstrators at the seminar for inclusion in the travelling exhibition.

6. As part of the project there will also be an online exhibition where all pieces will be on display on the IWG website.

7. Entries are limited to a single entry per member. The entry must be the original work of the member.

8. Materials other than wood may be used and indeed additional wood, provided that any such material, in the opinion of the judges, is appropriate and used in a subsidiary manner. The finished piece must be at least 75% Ash.

a. Techniques such as carving, piercing, inlay, decorative colouring, and finishing may be used.

b. Bases or display stand where needed for the piece may be used.

c. We encourage each maker to mark their piece with a signature or identifiable mark.

9. The decision of the curators will be final.

10. The final decisions on any matters relating to the entries and exhibition rest with the TT40 committee.

11. Due to the shortage of Ash, it has not been possible to source sufficient quantities of kiln dried native ash. Each piece may be damp, but end grain has been sealed. Should the piece crack while drying you may substitute with a piece of ash you have yourself providing it is native Irish Ash.

12. All the pieces submitted will become the property of the IWG and will be auctioned/sold in 2024 to raise funds to firstly offset the cost of the project and secondly to fund a future initiative(s) to promote woodturning.

13. DATA PROTECTION By entering a piece in this project, you agree to the IWG retaining your details for the purpose of contacting you with regards to related events and activities. We will not share your data with any third party for their marketing or fundraising purposes. We will keep your data safe and secure. You can request that we remove your details from our database at any time.

14. PHOTOGRAPHS A condition of entry is that you grant the IWG the right to photograph the entry, the copyright of which shall belong to the IWG. The photographs will be used for the purpose of preserving a record, producing a catalogue, and to publish in any media publication, and to exhibit on the IWG web page to promote the craft of turning.