The Alan Peters Award For Excellence 2017
We are delighted to be able to tell you that, once again, we have an award winner in our midst! Chris Cooper, who has just completed the Designer-Maker course here at Rowden, is one of the winners of this year’s Alan Peters Award For Excellence.
The Award is a competition designed to commemorate Alan Peters OBE. Alan was an internationally respected designer-maker who dedicated his life to the furniture industry in the workshop, through writing and also by teaching. The award continues his legacy by encouraging and supporting the next generation of furniture designer-makers at the start of their new careers. It is certainly a fitting tribute to the great man.
The Winners
“The judges were particularly impressed this year by three very different pieces,” said award judge and director of Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design, Jason Heap. “We felt that each, in their own way, showed good ambition, offered interest both visually and in their construction, indicated a good understanding of the materials used and demonstrated accomplished workmanship.”
Every year Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design offers the winners the opportunity to exhibit their entry alongside the best in the business at its prestigious exhibition in Cheltenham. This annual selling exhibition hosts many of the finest furniture designer-makers and studio workshops in the British Isles, alongside selected artisans from other disciplines such as jewellery and art.
Chris entered his stunning ‘Manuell-Coates’ Cabinet into the competition, which the judges described as almost a work of art: “A fun, quirky and confident piece that demonstrates accomplished workmanship and attention to detail,” they commented. “It is almost a work of art in itself with its unusual, sculptural form and is immediately visually captivating. Details such as the matching edge coves and painted mirror rebate ensured that this piece stood out to us as exceptional both in design and craftsmanship.”
Huge congratulations, Chris, from us all here at Rowden. We know how much work you put into this piece and could not be more proud of your achievement. We look forward to following your progress in the years to come.
Until next time,
Lakshmi
