From Construction to Woodturning: How Scott Gnan Found His Niche
From Construction to Woodturning: How Scott Gnan Found His Niche
Clearfield County | Elk Country

After three decades in the construction field, Scott Gnan found his passion in a similar craft: woodturning.
It all started when Gnan saw a barrel and thought to himself, “Wow, wouldn’t that make a cool bowl.”
He sought out guidance from others he knew in the field, and now he is often found turning cups, vases, wine glasses, pepper mills, duck and calls, wine stoppers, bottle openers and more!
Gnan most enjoys being able to create a finished product.
“It’s amazing to see the transformation,” he said.
An Elk County native, Gnan notes that he appreciates the seclusion and privacy the rural region provides.




“There’s room to move and do what we want,” Gnan said about the community in which he is able to practice his trade.
The artisan encourages others new to woodturning or looking to get into the trade to stick with it.
“I got frustrated at first,” he admitted. “Ask for guidance.”
Scott Gnan is a professional level juried artisan member of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania. Learn more about Scott and leave him a review or recommendation on his WCO profile.
RECENT WCO MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
- Blackbird Distillery: Making shine and making friends
Not too many businesses can say they create their product completely from start to finish, but the folks at Blackbird Distillery can! Located in Brookville along the I-80 Frontier landscape and the Cook Forest and the Ancients landscape within the Pennsylvania Wilds, Blackbird Distillery is a one-of-a-kind place that takes pride in showing visitors the magic of how their product is made. - Judy Schrader: Creating small, but very mighty art
Judy Schrader’s love for art began when she was just a child, and it soon grew into a lifetime of creation. Based in Warren County in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds, her art has ranged from boundless wilderness scenes to miniature details of the wonders of nature. - Centre Foundation: Bringing the community to the front and ‘Centre’
For over 40 years the Centre Foundation has been making a huge difference in the communities of Centre County, located in the I-80 Frontier landscape of the PA Wilds region. Roughly $49 million has been invested in their communities through grants, programs, and scholarship funds, and that number is still climbing. Their mission is simple: “Centre Foundation fosters a culture of giving, supports and empowers nonprofits, and sparks positive community change.”
