Selkirk’s Fine Woodworking Students Fair Well in International Competition

Selkirk College Fine Woodworking student, David Ringheim, took second place for his Empire Desk in the Table category at the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers’ (AWFS) Fresh Wood Competition.

The biennial event, held as part of the AWFS®Fair, an international trade show featuring all products and supplies for the woodworking industry, attracted 165 entries from 49 different post-secondary and high schools in the United States and Canada.

Two second year Fine Woodworking students from Selkirk College, David Ringheim and Ross Thompson, were chosen as finalists in the AWFS competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. They each submitted work which was completed while they were enroled in the Fine Woodworking program.  

“To be chosen as a finalist is quite an honour and to come in second place is fantastic!” said Fine Woodworking Instructor, Michael Grace. “We are really proud of these students and hope that this recognition will assist them with establishing a career in the industry.”

Each student in the competition submitted a presentation that was juried for five finalists in each category. All finalists were then required to send their work to Las Vegas where the final jury picked out the winners. Judges, ranging from woodworkers to educators, reviewed entries based on the design, innovation and quality of presentation, the use of materials, methods and processes, the functionality and achievement of design intent and craftsmanship and quality.  The finalists were invited to attend the show and all the expenses were covered by AWFS.

David submitted his Empire Desk, which was completed as one of his fist year projects. The table is constructed of wenge and sapele woods using wood bending and veneering techniques.

Ross submitted his Oval Coffee Table which was completed in his second year of study. The small table, made of walnut, was constructed using curved panels and the top was cut out using a computer numerically controlled (CNC) router.

Second place winner, David Ringheim, received a $500 prize, a free subscription to an online marketing website and a certificate of merit. His table was also accepted for publication in Fine Woodworking magazine and can be seen in the June 2009 issue.

First published on August 04, 2009