Woodcraft and Customers Donate Over $8,000 To Fresh Wood Competition

Furniture World News Desk on 1/21/2015

Above: Thaddeus Berglund (Cedar Ridge High School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina), left, won first prize for his table, “Wooden Moon-Gazing” that features marquetry, and Derek Ott (Palomar College, Oceanside, California) won first prize for “Jazmin,” his archtop guitar.


Woodcraft reported that its customers continued to give generously in 2014 to benefit Fresh Wood, a student woodworking competition, contributing $4,060 that Woodcraft matched to bring the total gift amount to $8,120.

Woodcraft launched the Fresh Wood project In April 2012, inviting customers to join the company in supporting Fresh Wood by making donations that Woodcraft would match up to $10,000. Since 2012, contributions have totaled $18,566, including $4,260 in 2012 and $6,186 in 2013.

“Woodcraft customers continue to meet our challenge and exceed their financial support for Fresh Wood, a program Woodcraft considers important in its ongoing mission to offer educational opportunities for woodworkers,” Jody Garrett, Woodcraft president, said. “Through this competitive venue young woodworkers are encouraged and exposed to networking opportunities that may assist them on their professional career paths.”

Held in conjunction with the AWFS (Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers) Fair every two years, the Fresh Wood competition offers a place for students to showcase their work, be introduced to the industry as artists, designers and woodworkers, and be exposed to industry career opportunities. In addition, winners take home monetary and tool awards.

“We consider Fresh Wood to be one of our most important and visible industry education activities. We are so thankful that Woodcraft and its customers see the value in Fresh Wood and want strengthen its presence and support these talented students and their school programs,” said Adria Torrez, AWFS assistant education director.

The next Fresh Wood competition will be held July 22-25 in Las Vegas during the AWFS Fair. Entries will be accepted until May 1. For more information, visit http://awfsfair.org/attendee-information/student-contests.

Two changes in the contest have been announced for 2015. A Special Theme category (Musical Instruments for 2015) has been added, and the production-focused entry category has been updated and renamed Design for Production.

“We have learned that high schools and post-secondary programs have adopted stringed instrument instruction as a great way to introduce students to fundamental woodworking skills,” said Torrez. “We are happy to offer this new category to let guitars and other wooden musical instruments compete and shine.” Any musical instrument primarily made of wood is eligible, excluding pre-made kits.

The Design for Production category is for products such as mass-produced commercial or residential furniture, office furniture, universal designs, RTA and public seating. CNC production designs and methods are encouraged but not required. “Entrants must promote their concepts through a marketing-themed entry essay and finalist illustration board, addressing topics such as price point, efficient production methods and market intent,” Torrez said.

To learn more about the Fresh Wood and the 2013 winners and their entries, like the two pictured here, visit http://awfsfair.org/attendee-information/student-contests. For more information about AWFS, visit www.awfsfair.org.

To contribute to the Woodcraft Fresh Wood project, visit woodcraft.com and click on Fresh Wood in the Partner Sites list on the home page, or if you place an order, you will be given an opportunity to donate as the order is processed. There is also a link to the donation page on the Fresh Wood section of the AWFS website.

For more information about Woodcraft, please contact the store nearest you, visit www.woodcraft.com or call (800) 535-4482. To learn about Woodcraft franchise opportunities, visit www.woodcraftfranchise.com or email woodcraftfranchise@woodcraft.com.

About Woodcraft: Woodcraft Supply, LLC, is one of the nation's oldest and largest suppliers of quality woodworking tools, supplies, and plans. The Parkersburg, W.Va.-based company’s more than 20,000 products are sold at retail stores in over 70 major metropolitan areas across the U.S., through two million catalogs distributed annually in all 50 states and 117 countries, and online at woodcraft.com. All products (except power tools) are backed by our 90-Day Guarantee and the industry’s best customer service. (Power tools are subject only to the manufacturer’s warranties.) Woodcraft also offers educational opportunities through classes and demos at the stores, how-to videos and articles online, and project, technique and product features in Woodcraft Magazine, which publishes six issues annually.