The Young Wood Pro competition has a winner! 25-year-old Drake Stuedemann.

 

 

Handcrafted from California Black Walnut and leathered Black Granite, Stuedemann says his Austin Coffee Table No. 2 is an exploration between media and form: a table carefully designed to be uncompromisingly simple and honest in the interaction between its materials. The result is a table of beauty; a balance between geometric shapes and the organic lines which divide them.

 

Judge and FDMC Editor-in-Chief Will Sampson said "The Stuedemann piece combined expert craftsmanship with tasteful design sense and spectacular materials for an impressive total package."

 

Judging criteria included good and original design suited to the work, quality materials,  and a high standard of workmanship - perhaps a standard higher than we might expect given the youth of the entrants. The “wow factor” also comes into play.

 

 

This is the fourth year that Woodworking Network has hosted this event. Previous Young Wood Pro Award winners were Nathan Deal for his 17-foot Great Auk Kayak, Martin Goebel of Goebel & Co. Furniture for his classic table featuring World War II surplus, aircraft-grade sugar pine, and Dylan Horst for his undulating ash and benge Wave table.