Chair pair are top woodworkers

MARTIN DE RUYTER/ The Nelson Mail

HAVE A SEAT: Tony Clark, left, and Adam Webb of the Nelson Centre for Fine Woodworking with the chairs that won them top places in the Kawerau WoodFest competition.

Relevant offers

One was a landscape gardener in a previous life, the other a telecommunications engineer, but together they have taken out all top three spots in one of New Zealand's top woodcraft events.

Adam Webb and Tony Clark are students at Nelson's Centre for Fine Woodworking and between them they captured all three prizes in the Furniture and Cabinetmaking section of the 2009 Kawerau WoodFest.

The competition is widely regarded as one of the country's top woodcraft events and comprises a judged exhibition across 12 categories, including furniture and cabinet making, carving, wood turning and models.

Neither expected to win but they said their entries were more about making sure there was a good representation from the Nelson school.

Mr Webb, who came down from the Coromandel for the one-year course, took out first and second prize for his hall table and chair.

"I have trialled with other things in the past but woodwork was always in the back of the mind. I love trees and I love wood so I really enjoy doing that wood justice."

Mr Barker, who took out third prize for his chair, moved from Wellington as a communications support engineer at Alcatel-Lucent to do the course because he felt he needed a change.

"I love working with my hands and being creative and I come from a family of builders and pattern makers, so I thought I would give it a go."

Mr Webb won $1400 in prize money and Mr Clark $300. Both said the money would go into buying more timber.

Their senior tutor, John Shaw, was rapt with the news. "We entered seven pieces in the awards. To take out all top three prizes is a great coup and a tremendous affirmation of the work we are doing here."

Mr Webb's winning table is made from maple and cherry, and his second-placed chair from American white oak with some New Zealand oak sourced in Waimea. Mr Clark's chair is made from ash with a cotton chair seat woven by his wife, Jane. All pieces are for sale.

- © Fairfax NZ News