Angela Van Wiltenburg was born and raised in Wauconda, Illinois. Her interest in woodworking emerged during her first year of high school. After taking a stagecraft class and enjoying the hands-on work, she began creating things on her own and joined the stage crew to build sets. Her uncle, who is a business owner, luthier, and woodworker, was one of her main mentors. They worked on projects together, from big projects like benches, to small things like guitar picks. Her love for woodturning began in 2021 when he bought a mini lathe for fun. His mentorship has greatly enhanced Angela’s knowledge and deepened her interest in this field.
Shortly after graduating high school, she travelled to Cookeville, Tennessee where she attends Tennessee Technological University, majoring in Fine Arts with a wood concentration. Angela is passionate about this field, and her hope after graduating in May 2026 is to work independently as an artist using the tools and machinery she will acquire with her Woodsmoor Craft Fellowship funds.
Angela has primarily demonstrated and taught at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, TN. Some demonstrations she has done includes the annual Celebration of Craft event and Holiday Festival, where she taught some workshops. She’s also taught and assisted for their High School Outreach Program, where high schoolers from around the Middle Tennessee area get to come and use the Craft Center’s facilities with proper instruction to create a unique craft they get to take home with them.
Angela mainly enjoys woodturning and teaching others, but she also enjoys crafting fine furniture. Her work before her senior thesis was often described as simple, modern, functional, but now as ‘thematically rich,’ and has been said to be nothing short of impressive.
Angela is a young, strong woman in the male-dominated field of woodworking, working to pave the way for women in the industry. She is determined to demonstrate that women are fully capable in this career and aspires to become a successful and respected female woodturner and woodworker.
Web: avdubscustomwoodwo.wixsite.com/angelavanwiltenburg
Instagram: @avdubswoodworking
Demonstrations
Turning Wooden Scoops
This demonstration covers the process of turning traditional wooden scoops using spindle turning techniques. Emphasis will be placed on tool selection, body position, clean cutting, and efficient shaping to produce smooth, flowing forms with minimal sanding. Participants can expect to gain a clear understanding of scoop design, proportions, and techniques that can be applied to a variety of functional projects. (Inspired by Richard Raffan style scoops.)
Hands-On: Precision Pen Turning: A Hands-On Introduction
This hands-on session introduces participants to the fundamentals of pen turning, from turning, sanding, and assembly (blanks will be prepped before demonstration). The focus will be on proper setup, tool control, and methods for achieving consistent results and clean finishes. Participants will leave with a completed pen and practical knowledge they can apply to future pen projects.
Hands-On: From Blank to Brush: Turning Functional Brush Handles
This hands-on session introduces participants to the fundamentals of woodturning custom brush handles, covering turning, sanding, and finishing (blanks will be prepped before the demonstration). The focus will be on proper lathe setup, tool control, shaping for comfort and balance, and achieving smooth, durable finishes. Participants will walk away with a completed brush handle and practical techniques they can confidently apply to future woodturning projects.
