Award winners named at guild shows

Two of the country’s largest guilds recently held their annual exhibitions. The 30th Design in Wood was co-sponsored by the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association and the San Diego County Fair, and the 28th Northern Woods show was sponsored by the Minnesota Woodworkers Guild.

Design in Wood is a juried international exhibition that drew 374 entries in 22 categories of woodworking. Held over 23 days at the fair in Del Mar, Calif., 358 pieces were on display.

Some of the major awards included:

• Best of Show: Brian Newell for an ebony wall cabinet (Photo D)

• Master Woodworkers Trophy: David Blackburn for a rustic sideboard, “A River Runs Through” (E)

• Sponsor’s Choice Perpetual Trophy: Bob Marnal for a corner cabinet (F)

• People’s Choice: Kathy Wise for the marquetry piece, “Leopard’s Lair”

• SDFWA Advanced: David Marr for a white tulip wine cabinet (C)

The Northern Woods show featured 45 pieces by 36 makers. “The only requirement for an entry is that it be made primarily of wood,” says guild spokesman Tony Kubalak. “While many of the entries are furniture, others are unique items of sculpture, marquetry, carving or turning. Most of the designs are original, unique and modern with a few traditional ones. One of the main purposes of the show is for the entrants to display and discuss their work with the public.”

The major award winners were:

• Best in Show and Peer Award: Dale Johnson for “Writing Desk for Hannah” (B)

• Paul Lee Memorial and Best Carving awards: Kubalak for a Philadelphia high chest of drawers (A)

• People’s Choice and Most Technically Accomplished: Mark Laub for PlanetWaves Petite Console”

• Best Hand Work: Tim Heil for “Nanny Rocker”

Winning pieces from both shows can be viewed at www.sdfwa.org and www.mnwwg.org.

This article originally appeared in the September 2011 issue.