A Gallery of Creative Furniture Designs

Sponsored by the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®), Fresh Wood is a competition for woodworking students who are enrolled in accredited high school and post-secondary schools in the United States and Canada. The competition was created as a vehicle for students to showcase their skills and abilities in wood; to introduce them to the industry as future artists, designers, and woodworkers; and to open career opportunities in the industry through new contacts and relationships developed by participating in the event. It is the hope of AWFS® that each student who participates in Fresh Wood leaves inspired, motivated, and a little more prepared for the next step in their woodworking education, or confident enough to pursue other personal or career dreams. For some, the benefit of Fresh Wood is the inaugural experience of participating in a juried exhibition or the opportunity to travel and attend a national industry trade show. In the end, Fresh Wood demonstrates the relevance of the wood manufacturing industry and the potential career opportunities in design, technology, manufacturing, production, management, sales, and countless other capacities.

Judging is done by a panel of professionals representing a range of sectors in the furnishing and woodworking industry, such as design, education, manufacturing, and the woodworking press. In addition to the judges featured in this volume, past panel members have included Gary Rogowski, Marc Spagnuolo, Torben Helshoj, Marc Adams, Paul Epp, Darrell Peart, and many more industry leaders.

When the smoke clears and the winners have been selected, cash prizes are awarded for first place and second place in each category and at each school level. There are also two top prizes awarded: People’s Choice and Best of Show. The People’s Choice award is selected by the attendees of the AWFS®Fair and the winner receives a cash prize.

The Fresh Wood competition takes place biennially to correspond with the AWFS®Fair, the official AWFS® trade event held during odd-numbered years in the popular destination of Las Vegas, NV. As an essential component of the AWFS®Fair, the Fresh Wood contest and the exhibition of the selected finalists helps re-shape outdated perceptions of the career opportunities and skill levels in the woodworking industry. It is important for school programs to reflect the changes and advancements caused by evolving technology and a global economy, as well as bring an awareness of the many job openings offering competitive salaries for skilled workers in a wide range of career paths. These paths include high-tech machinery operation and repair, computer-controlled machinery operators, sales, international trade, teaching and education, forestry, milling, hardware, machinery and product design, as well as research and development related to coatings, finishings, and innovative wood products that combine with metals, plastics, and solid surfaces. In the end, the Fresh Wood Design Contest at the AWFS®Fair is an excellent way to see first-hand the skills, passion, and vision of the woodworking industry’s next generation.

For more photographs from the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Fresh Wood competition, get your copy of the Fresh Wood Design Book today.