Words alone cannot describe the quality and craftsmanship exhibited by Vermont woodworkers’ entries in the Third Annual Vermont Fine Furniture & Wood Products Design Competition. That’s why the industry held its first-ever Design Competition Show at the Vermont Law School on June 17-18 to give the public an opportunity to see, first hand, the broad scope of work designed and created by the state’s many artisans.

Vermont’s talented woodworkers submitted almost one hundred pieces of furniture and other wood products into the competition. Show organizers and woodworkers invited visitors to “please touch” and “please sit” to get the full impact of fine products made from wood. Visitors were also invited to join woodworkers at an awards reception for the announcement of winners, which was presented by Governor Jim Douglas. Following the award presentation special guest Willem Lange, carpenter and storyteller, entertained everyone with his wit and wisdom as regularly heard on Vermont Public Radio and read in Yankee Notebook.

The goal of the annual competition is to raise the awareness of consumers and the professional community of the diversity, high-quality craftsmanship, and innovative design exhibited in furniture and wood products designed and made in Vermont, by Vermont furniture makers and woodworkers. Please view the 2006 Design Competition photos and press releases below.

2006 Press Releases:
February 22-Call to entrants
May 12-Design Competition Exhibit announcement
May 22- Wood Industry Announcement
June 18-"Governor Douglas Cites Importance of Wood Products Industry"
June 30-Winners Announcement

Note: Pictures Shown below are of Governor Jim Douglas, Mike Rainville, President of VWMA, and winners of the Competition.

Mark Lackley Furniture Makers-Kim Lackley
Winner of 1st Place in Production Furniture category-Classic Poker Table



Beeken Parsons-Bruce Beeken
Winner of 2nd Place in Custom/Studio Furniture category-Pleissner Chair
Winner of 2nd Place in Production Furniture category-Oak & Leather Side Chair

Charles Shackleton Furniture-Charles Shackleton
Winner of 1st Place in Production Turnings category-Clara Tuscan Dining Table



Granville Manufacturing Co, Inc. -Cindy Fuller
Winner of 3rd Place in Production turnings category-"Natural Beauty Within" Bowl

TJF Turnings-Ted Fink
Winner of 2nd Place in Custom Turnings-Natural Edge Burl Bowl


Moulton Custom Door of Vermont-Steve Flanders
Winner of 2nd Place in Architectural Installations category-White Oak Garage Door

David Hurwitz Originals-David Hurwitz
Winner of 1st Place in Production Woodenware category-Wooden Utensil Set

Bob Gasperetti Furniture Makers-Bob Gasperetti
Winner of 2nd Place in Production Woodenware category-Sculptural Cutting Boards
Winner of 3rd Place in Custom Woodenware category-Tissue Box Covers

Maple Landmark Woodcraft-Mike Rainville
Winner of 3rd Place in Production Woodenware category-Cable Stay Bridge


Freight House Woodworks-John McHugh
Winner of 2nd Place in Custom Woodenware category-Eastern Gate Screen

Vermont Windsor Chairs & Fine Furniture-David Spero
Winner of 1st Place in Reproduction Furniture category-Windsor Settee


Janet A. Collins, Furniture Maker-Janet Collins
Winner of 2nd Place in Reproduction Furniture category-Tall Post Mahogany Bed

William Laberge Cabinetmaker-William Laberge
Winner of 3rd Place in Reproduction Furniture category-Blacker House Desk


Mario Messina Designer Craftsman-Mario Messina
Winner of 2nd Place in Carving & Sculpture category-Cephalopod Lamp

Vermont Custom Woodworking-Rick Schneider
Winner of 3rd Place in Carving & Sculpture category-Femme Florale-Iris Full Bloom

Dee Dee O'Brien of The Shelburne Arts Center
Winner of 1st Place in Student category-Bow Front Nightstands

Guest Speaker, Willem Lange, shares story's at the conclusion of the 3rd Annual Vermont Wood Design Competition Event.