Woodturners of Southwest Florida started in 1998 as a small group of people joining together to share woodturning tips and experience.

Within a short few years, the group had grown large enough to justify the effort to establish a formal club.  A national organization called American Association of Woodturners granted our club official club chapter status and the non-profit corporation was formed in 2002.

The club grew rapidly over the coming years.  Meetings at a private residence were no longer practical.  As luck would have it, the City of Fort Myers had recently built a wood shop inside a local community venue operated by the city Parks and Recreation department.  A contract was signed and Woodturners of Southwest Florida officially had a home!

Fort Myers, Florida has a long and storied history in the community arts.  Our club is proud to be an active part of this local art community fostered by our members, our neighbors, local businesses and the city itself.