The Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers will be hosting the 3rd Annual New England Woodworking Competition on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at the Memorial Union Building (MUB) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in Durham. Event tickets are now on sale and interested competitors have until October 26 to register.
Founded in 1990, the Guild of New Hampshire is dedicated to furthering woodworking through shared knowledge and experience among its more than 760 members and the public. The annual woodworking competition is a collaborative effort between the Guild, the New Hampshire Furniture Masters, and UNH.
The 3rd Annual New England Woodworking Competition provides an opportunity for woodworkers to display and discuss their craft, and for the community to view the best in high-quality woodworking design and construction.
“We are fortunate to have outstanding makers and educational resources here in New England. This competition provides a space for woodworkers to exhibit their skills and for the community to admire high-quality woodworking,” said Elliot Savitzky, Guild board president. “The pieces that will be on display are works of art as well as functional furniture.”
The 2025 competition will be judged by Owain Harris, woodworker and furniture maker; Greg Brown, custom woodworking tradesman and artist; and Donna Banfield, wood artist.
In addition to the exhibition of all entries and the judged competition, the evening will feature furniture master Tom McLaughlin as master of ceremonies and keynote speakers Jeffrey Cooper, wood sculptor and carver, and Mike Pekovich, editor and creative director of Fine Woodworking magazine.
Awards will be given during the event in the following categories:
Best Original Design, Best Traditional Piece, Best Contemporary Piece, Best Carving, Best Turning Pieces, Best Decorative/Technical Detail, and Best Student Awards. Student awards will be given in each level of entry—elementary, middle school, high school, and post-high school students (college/technical or trade schools). In addition, the judges will award three Judges Awards and will name an Overall Best in Show.
Interested woodworkers can enter the competition in Master/Expert Craftsperson, Emerging Makers, and Student categories (elementary age through college or technical schools). Any number of pieces can be entered as part of the exhibition, but only two pieces per entrant can be submitted for judging. The $25 entrance fee is waived for students who are limited to one judged piece. The deadline to register is October 26, 2025.
The 3rd Annual New England Woodworking Competition is generously sponsored by Wood Lover’s Wax.
Tickets to the event are $25 in advance or $30 at-the-door and include complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar for those over 21.
The MUB at UNH is located at 83 Main Street in Durham, NH.
For more information about the upcoming competition, to register as a competitor or to purchase tickets, please visit gnhw.org/competition-2025/.
Also check out other Contests in Durham, Arts events in Durham, Exhibitions in Durham.
|
