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Quality
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The recently completed Fine Furnishings Providence Show has announced the winners of the 11th annual best-of-show awards. These awards are presented to recognize excellence in design and craftsmanship. They also provide good examples for new exhibitors by providing good examples of high standards to strive for. This is particularly true for the Marc Harrison award that evaluates every aspect of how an artisan markets himself and his work at the show. Two first-time exhibitors won the best in show furniture awards. The award for best traditional body of work went to Thomas MacDonald of Canton, Massachusetts who displayed three elaborate pieces that attendees found fascinating. The level of Thomas' craftsmanship is exemplary. Carlos Page of Hoboken, New Jersey, was awarded best contemporary body of work for his assemblage of metal furniture and accessories. An intricately carved hall table by Daniel Omondi Odhuno of Vermont won best traditional piece of furniture. A solid ash striped cabinet by Bart Niswonger & Carl Schlerman of Studio Cochineal in Williamsburg, Massachusetts was named best contemporary piece. Best traditional student work was awarded to William Morrison who attends the North Bennet Street School in Boston for his inlaid side table and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) student Shara Liou won best contemporary student work for her metal chair. The Marc Harrison award for marketing excellence was presented to furnituremaker John Hartcorn of Housatonic, Massachusetts for his simple yet effective presentation. Jim Eddy of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan won best in show accessory honors for his display of beautiful handmade lamps with shaped wood bases and mica or wood veneer shades. Bill Chisholm of Pawtucket, Rhode Island who showed brilliantly colored still life paintings won best in show fine art. In the "Tantalizing Tablescape" design competition, Leslie Lindeman of Tiverton, Rhode Island won the most tantalizing award while Lisa Goodman of Sharon, Massachusetts won a blue ribbon for the best use of exhibitor work. During the post-show pizza party, show owner and producer Karla Little commented, "Despite the horrendous weather that affected attendance, many of our exhibitors did very well at the show with sales, orders and commissions. Surprisingly, and not typically, our new exhibitors, which counted for about 35% of all exhibitors, did very well too." In support of Karla's comment, exhibitor Kate Mastrangelo of Huston & Company said, "We took a sizeable order on Saturday, made a lot of very good connections, sold a few things, and felt very good about the show," adding, "the organization of the show was, as usual, fantastic." To concur, Nathan Hunter of Nathan Hunter Design said, "I expect sales directly related to the show to total 15K in the "worst case" and over 30K in the "best case." Next year the 12th annual Fine Furnishings Providence Show will take place at the Rhode Island Convention Center on October 26 - 28, 2007. To see examples of the exquisite work exhibited and to sign up for the latest news on both shows, please visit www.FineFurnishingsShow.com. |
© 2007 by Daniel Omondi