For the second year running I was asked to judge the student’s work at the Vermont Fine Furniture and Woodworking Exhibition held in Woodstock, Vermont. It was a small field, perhaps reflecting the decline in high school shop classes, but the standard of work was high with every piece something the owner could always be proud off however far they progress in woodworking – not something to be relegated to the attic. However, one piece stood out from the rest, a reproduction Queen Anne chair in walnut. The lines were crisp, the joinery tight, and the seat was comfortable. Each piece was only identified by a number, but I wasn’t entirely surprised when the maker turned out to be Will Barstow who won the previous year with a Federal demilune table http://blogs.taunton.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?nav=main&webtag=fw-editorsblog&entry=307 . As I presented him with the Fine Woodworking electronic archive, Will told me that he is taking a year off after graduating last June so the rest of the students will now stand a chance of winning next year.

 

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