--- title: Fresh Wood 2027 Student Competition description: Student woodworking competition culminating at AWFS®Fair in Las Vegas; cash prizes up to $1,000, no entry fee. url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/bec28233-de82-407c-81f0-963b280c5f96 type: program status: open createdAt: "2026-10-24" updatedAt: "2026-10-24" programType: Open call organization: Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/association-of-woodworking-furnishings-suppliers deadline: "2027-04-15" location: Las Vegas, NV, United States isOnline: false compensationRange: "Cash prizes: First Place $1,000, Second Place $500, Honorable Mention $250, Best of Show $1,000 (plus trophy), People's Choice $750." disciplines: - woodworking --- # Fresh Wood 2027 Student Competition **Hosted by:** Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers **Type:** Open call | **Location:** Las Vegas, NV, United States | **Deadline:** April 15, 2027 ## About This Program Fresh Wood is an industry-sponsored competition for woodworking students who are considering a career in the wood and related industries. The contest is open to students in the United States. There is no entry fee. The Fresh Wood Competition will culminate at the AWFS®Fair, a live, in-person industry trade show, July 13-15, 2027 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA). Finalist attendance at the AWFS®Fair is not required but is strongly encouraged. AWFS®Fair Show Management reserves the right to make changes and adjustments to the Fresh Wood Competition at any point throughout the process. ### Judging Judging is done by panel of professionals representing various sectors of the industry. All entries are reviewed by the judges prior to the AWFS®Fair to determine the finalists to be exhibited at the show. Judges reserve the right to reassign an entry to a different category if they deem it appropriate. ### The Judging Process 1. Judges receive anonymous online submissions consisting of images and the students' responses to the online questions. 2. Judges score projects on a scale of 1-5 for each of the 5 criteria listed below. 3. Scores are tallied and projects with the highest scores within their category are selected as finalists. 4. Finalist projects are judged in person at the AWFS®Fair on a scale of 1-5 for the criteria below. 5. Scores are tallied and projects with the highest scores within their category may be selected as winners as agreed upon by the judging panel. ### Judging criteria 1. Design innovation on original pieces; or quality of execution of a known style or variation. 2. Craftsmanship of the piece including construction quality, material choice and use, detailing, sanding quality, finishing quality. 3. Functionality, stability, comfort, and if applicable manufacturability and marketability. 4. Construction techniques, appropriateness of the technique, joinery, lamination veneering, or upholstery. 5. Aesthetics, scale, proportion, balance, rhythm, emphasis and unity. One additional point will be given during final judging if the Presentation Board is completed following the instructions correctly. One point can make the difference for a win! ### Awards High school and post-secondary school entries are judged and awarded separately. - First Place: $1,000 - Second Place: $500 - Honorable Mention (Given at the discretion of the judges): $250 - Best of Show (Student receives the Best of Show trophy): $1,000 - People's Choice: $750 First and Second Place given in every category, Honorable Mention given at judges' discretion. ### Key Competition Dates - April 15, 2027: Entry Application Deadline - April 26, 2027: Finalists notified - May 27, 2027: Deadline for coordinating shipping to Las Vegas Convention Center - July 10, 2027: Day to personally deliver furniture to Las Vegas Convention Center - July 12, 2027: Final on-site judging - July 13-15, 2027: AWFS®Fair; Finalists' projects on display during the Fair, winners selected and announced ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Career Stage:** Open to all - **Geographic Eligibility:** National - **Disciplines:** woodworking - **Age Requirements:** 16 - 35 years old - **Note:** High school students in a woodworking or design program (specialty schools/programs may be accepted case-by-case). Post-secondary students, full-time or part-time, seeking a degree or certificate in a woodworking or related program, considering a career in woodworking or design (including trade, art and union apprenticeship schools; specialty schools/programs may be accepted case-by-case). Students must be at least 16 and younger than 35 by July 13, 2027. All students, including graduates, must have the support of their instructor and school or program where the work was completed. Those who make their living, or substantial income, from woodworking careers are not eligible. A student may be a finalist in the Fresh Wood competition no more than three times at the post-secondary level. Entries restricted to ten per school and two per student; one student representative per entry; projects must be composed of at least 50% wood or wood composite, except pieces in the Open category and upholstered pieces; project must have been built between May 2025 and April 2027 and not previously entered in any other national competition; construction must be complete at time of entry (finish coating may be pending); entries limited to one category; prototypes must be fully functional and finished; glass components must be tempered and properly secured; students must disclose use of manufactured parts or involvement of other persons or companies; maximum of two projects per student; entry must not exceed 48 inches in length or width when fully assembled; AWFS reserves the right to limit entries weighing over 400 pounds. ### Additional Requirements - Online School Registration Form completed by instructor/school by April 15, 2027 - Student User Profile created on ArtCall - Project title, dimensions (inches) and weight (pounds) - Answers to online questions (inspiration, project goals, design/construction challenges, wood types and finishes used, special equipment/software/jigs/hardware used, disclosure of manufactured parts or other persons/companies involved) - Four (4) project photos (three from different views plus one detail shot; one must be a screenshot of the digital process for Digital Fabrication category) - At least one (1) additional image showing construction documentation, project plans, drawings, or working sketches - Signed Fresh Wood 2027 Student Release Form (student, instructor, and parent/guardian if under 18) ## Compensation & Benefits Cash prizes: First Place $1,000, Second Place $500, Honorable Mention $250, Best of Show $1,000 (plus trophy), People's Choice $750. **Includes:** Prize ## Timeline - **Opens:** October 23, 2026 - **Deadline:** April 15, 2027 ## Contact **Contact:** Nicole Taylor **Email:** nicole@awfs.org **Phone:** (323) 215-0311 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://freshwood2027.artcall.org/