Level-Up is a developing event. With more than a year to go, things will change along the way. However, we would like you to know what is planned at the moment and hope you plan to be there. Check back as the date approaches and see what has changed.
But to-date, this is what we have planned for Level-Up:
Where:
- Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Rapids Lions Club
3331 10th St South
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
54494
When:
- September 17 – 20, 2026
Accommodations:
- Hotel Mead – 49 rooms available, $130/night
- Dry camping will be available at the site
- Air BNB are available if you check them out
- Camping info TBD ( will be available by Fall 2026)
On-Lathe Activities:
- Barrel Turning
- Christmas Ornaments
- Embelishing
- Endgrain Bowls
- Goblet Turning
- Gouge Techniques
- Lidded Boxes
- Live Edge Bowls
- Rim Embellishning
- Segmented Bowls
- Thin Wall Bowls
Off-Lathe Activities:
- Air Brushing
- Carving
- Dot Painting
- Grinding/sharpening lessons or support
- Pyrography
- Sharpening Classes
- Small Tool Making
- Using Lightburn
Coaches
- Billy Burt
- Brent Sobota
- Dan Smith
- Dave Rhodes
- Dean Grimes
- Gary Hale
- Jeff Walters
- Jim Duxbury
- Joaquin Juatai
- Kade Bolger
- Paul Hannaby
- Martin Clarkson
- Matt Harber
- Rita Duxbury
- Roger Wollam
- Sue Jilek
- Tim Hatch
Costs:
- Turning Couple; 3 days of demonstrations, 4 turning pods each, evening meals – $300
- One Person; 3 days of demonstrations, 4 turning pods, evening meals – $160
- One Pers/on; 1 day of demonstrations, turning pods, evening meals – $80
- Plus 1 person; wants to do the off-lathe projects only – $80.
- Evening Chow; Dinner for the non-attending second person – $15
Materials:
Things that will be available:
- Multiple lathes for each on-lathe pod session
- Grinding/sharpening stations will be available
- Blanks will be provided, you don’t need to bring blanks.
Things to Bring:
- Your own turning tools; gouges, parting tool, skew, etc
- Bring your own Dremel, or carving tool
- Bring your own painting tools, dot painting tools, spray gun, etc.
- Metal Leaf/Gilding – TBD
- Dyes & Stains – TBD
- Finishes – TBD
Glossary:
- Anchor – Presenter/Coach
- Pod Session – Group of people working with a teacher/coach, assistant, attendees — Hands-on activity
Planned Pod Sessions
With each newsletter, we will add the description of another Pod Session.
Chemical Patination with Brent Sobotka
- Activity Type: Off Lathe
Brent Sobotka will share his techniques for producing this striking detail through chemical patination and the use of copper & silver leaf.
Attendees will learn to produce this striking detail and incorporate metal leaf stencil processing. Brent will show you how to accomplish this on board stock (provided), a piece of your liking you bring with you, or you can use a piece you made at a different pod session at Level-Up.
Lidded box techniques with Joaquin Juatai
- Activity Type: On Lathe
Editor Joaquin Juatai will share techniques for grain matching, slip-fit lids and more when making lidded boxes.
Participants will be able to finish their pieces either on or off the lathe.