Entries open January 24 for the 2022 Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge, offering the opportunity for entrants to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes for exemplary woodwork using veneer.

The designer, craftsman, or manufacturer who enters the best work submitted in the view of a panel of expert judges wins a Grand Prize of $3,000. But not only does the maker win, Grand Prize awards also include $2,000 for the supplier of veneer for the winning piece and $1,000 to the salesman who sold the veneer.

In addition, there are separate category prizes of $1,000 each for Architectural, Cabinetry, Furniture, Marquetry, Specialty Products, and Student Work.

It’s easy to enter online post your entry, including photos. The entry deadline is July 1 for this year’s contest. Winners will be announced at a special event at IWF in Atlanta.

In the past, judges have repeatedly mentioned how important quality photographs were to their decision, so entrants might want to check out some photographic advice from Scott Grove, who is a past multiple winner in the contest and has served several times as a judge.

David W. Lamb, a cabinetmaker in Canterbury, New Hampshire captured the Grand Prize in the Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge for 2021 with a contemporary styled furniture piece called “New Hampshire Secretary.” With a combination of elegant design, flawless veneer work, and hand-carved detailing, the piece was the judges’ clear choice out of some 88 entries in the contest this year. You can also see pictures and read about the 2021 winners.

You can enter online or to get more information, visit https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/events-contests/veneer-tech-craftsmans-challenge.