Winners Announced! Texas Furniture Makers Show

On November 17th, about two hundred people gathered at the exquisite Kerr Arts and Cultural Center in Kerrville, Texas for the Texas Furniture Makers Show.

This day is a huge event, and we’ve worked for months in the confines of our shop, even through many nights to bring quality completion to yet another piece to be entered in this show!  This event is also a great time to reconnect with friends, some of whom we may only see this time of year.

The awards ceremony officially began at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments generously  provided to us by the Center. Best Art Style, Best Traditional,  honorable mentions along with the Judges Special awards are some of the categories named. The winners of each category are announced, and each person goes up for the ribbon. People’s Choice is always a favorite because that is what the people vote for.

Best Texas Style went to Lou Quallenberg. I can’t remember a year when he did not win that award!

The lovely Windsor Settee by Caleb James, was one I really liked; he won Best Traditional.

The Best Apprentice prize package was donated by us, the Heritage School of Woodworking. I was very pleased when the award went to John Burton for his lovely blanket chest. John won a one day class as well as a nice package of fine handmade tools made right here at the school. There were many awards given out.

I was thrilled when they announced the winner of the People’s Choice, “Frank Strazza wins People’s Choice for his piece “Roses”!! Then the heart races a little faster when third is announced then second place.

Finally, Best of Show goes to . . . Frank Strazza for Roses! I was beside myself and very honored to receive the award! I am looking forward to using the prize to further my skills; there is so much more to learn and attain to, so on we go!

The following morning the furniture makers participated in a walk around critique on different pieces of furniture in the show. This is always a great opportunity to learn more and to hear what the judges felt about different pieces.

Thank you again to Philip Lowe, from Massachusetts, Randy Johnson  and Gordon McDougal, for coming down to Judge the Show. Also a special thanks to Larry Moss, the Show coordinator for all his hard work to pull it all together.

Here is a complete list of all the winners.

First Place (Best of Show)

Frank Strazza, Waco TX “Roses” Federal Style Hall Table

Second Place

Randolph Secrest, Spicewood TX Trunk

Third Place

Bert Ray, Wimberley TX “Blossom Table II”

Best Contemporary Style

James Breaux, San Antonio TX Haidinger’s Brush” Table

Best Traditional Style

Caleb James, Katy TX Settee

Best Texas Style

Lou Quallenberg, Llano TX “Drift” Coffee Table

Best Art Style

Jeremy Grubb, Dickinson TX “Rising Sun” Console

Best Apprentice

John Burton, Arlington TX Blanket Chest

Woodcraft’s People’s Choice

Frank Strazza, Waco TX “Roses” Federal Style Hall Table

Judges’ Special Award / Fine Woodworking®

Lee Westphal, Burnet TX Display Cabinet

Judges’ Special Award / Alamo Hardwoods

Brooke M. Davis, Austin TX Intertwined Series: Bench

Judges’ Special Award / Alamo Hardwoods

Barry Bradley, Fredericksburg TX “Smoke Signals” Table

Judges’ Special Award / Allen & Allen

Danny Kamerath, Dallas TX “Kampa” Coffee Table

Judges’ Special Award / Dakota Premium Hardwood

Leo Litto, Austin TX Work Table

Furniture Committee Award /Artisans at Rocky Hill

Mark Seay, Plano TX Wind Rose Table

SAPFM Award / Society of American Period Furniture Makers

W. Malcolm Granberry, Houston TX Spine Chest

Woodturners’ Choice Award / Hill Country Turners

Caleb James, Katy TX Settee

Woodcraft® Sponsor’s Award

Lou Quallenberg, Llano TX “Drift” Coffee Table

Johnny Jones Sponsor’s Award

Jon Percy, Austin TX “Fallen Leaves” Bench

Honorable Mentions:

Carl Powell, Bartlett TX KOA Top Table

Wayne Locke, Austin TX Chair

Wayne Delyea, Granbury TX Rocking Chair

Brad Dawson, Kemah TX Curio/Display Cabinet

Brandon Berdoll, Cedar Creek TX Spalted Pecan Coffee Table