About Angela Van Wiltenburg

Born and raised in the Chicago area, Angela discovered her passion for woodworking during her first year of high school. After enrolling in a stagecraft class and falling in love with hands-on making, she joined the stage crew, building sets and developing foundational shop skills. One of her most influential mentors has been her uncle—a business owner, luthier, and woodworker—who introduced her to a wide range of projects, from large benches to intricate guitar picks. Angela’s journey into woodturning began in 2021 when her uncle purchased a mini lathe simply for fun. That experience sparked a lasting passion, and his continued mentorship played a key role in expanding her knowledge and deepening her commitment to the craft.

 

Following high school graduation, Angela moved to Cookeville, Tennessee, where she has spent the past four years earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in wood at Tennessee Technological University. Her work has evolved significantly over time; once described as simple, modern, and functional, to her recent thesis work now noted for being “thematically rich”. 

Angela has primarily demonstrated and taught at the Appalachian Center for Craft, where she enjoys sharing her love of woodturning with others. While turning remains her primary focus, she also enjoys crafting fine furniture. After graduating in May 2026, Angela plans to work independently as an artist, supported by tools and machinery acquired through her Woodsmoor Craft Fellowship that was awarded in late 2025.

As a young woman in the traditionally male-dominated field of woodworking, Angela is committed to paving the way for others. She is determined to demonstrate that women are fully capable and highly skilled in this profession, and she aspires to build a successful and respected career as a woodturner and woodworker.