The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers will host its biennial Fresh Wood student furniture competition at the 2027 AWFS Fair, July 13-15 in Las Vegas. The competition is open to high school and post-secondary students ages 16-35 in accredited woodworking or related programs.

There is no fee to enter. Entry applications will be accepted until April 15, 2027.

2027 Special Theme: Sports & Games
From sporting equipment to game tables and chess sets, the 2027 Fresh Wood Special Theme invites students to bring their creativity to the world of sports and games. Last offered in 2019, this theme was well-received, making it an exciting choice to bring back for 2027.

Students can explore a wide range of possibilities, including tennis rackets, hockey sticks, fishing and hunting equipment, canoes, dartboards, card tables, pool tables, ping-pong tables, chess sets, and more. The theme encourages students to combine creativity, functionality, and craftsmanship in projects inspired by the sports and games they enjoy.

New for 2027: Musical Instruments and Digital Fabrication
Fresh Wood is expanding its opportunities for student creators with the addition of a dedicated Musical Instruments category and the introduction of Digital Fabrication, replacing the former Design for Production category.

The Musical Instruments category gives students a dedicated opportunity to showcase instruments designed to produce sound, including string, percussion, woodwind, and other types of instruments. Entries will be recognized for originality, craftsmanship, design, functionality, and quality of construction. Instruments should be playable or demonstrate their intended musical function. By creating a dedicated category, AWFS hopes to encourage a wider variety of entries, from guitars to less traditional musical creations.

Digital Fabrication reflects the evolving tools and technologies students use to bring their ideas to life. The category welcomes projects that incorporate digital design and fabrication methods, including CNC machining, 3D printing, laser cutting, and other digital fabrication processes. It also creates opportunities for students working in maker spaces and other technology-focused learning environments to participate. Students may use AI and other available tools as part of their creative process, reflecting the growing role of technology in modern design and manufacturing.

Seven Categories to Showcase Student Talent
The 2027 Fresh Wood competition features seven categories: Case Goods, Seating, Tables, Open, Musical Instruments, Digital Fabrication, and the Sports & Games Special Theme. Together, these categories offer students a variety of ways to showcase their skills, from traditional furniture making to musical instrument construction and technology-driven fabrication. The competition celebrates the next generation of creators and the many ways they are shaping the future of woodworking.

Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges representing different areas of the woodworking industry. Judges’ scores will determine the finalist projects selected for display at the AWFS Fair. AWFS covers project shipping within the contiguous United States and most student attendance costs, helping make participation in thecompetition and Fair more accessible.

Recognition, Cash Prizes and Industry Exposure
The Fresh Wood entry deadline is April 15, 2027. Finalists will be on display throughout the AWFS Fair July 13-15, 2027.

Winners will be identified and announced at an Awards Ceremony during the show, open to all attendees and exhibitors. First place, second place and honorable mention awards may be given out in each category and at each school level. A “Best of Show” award will also be selected from all first-place category winners, and the recipient will receive a custom trophy from an accomplished woodworker. A People’s Choice
award, for which all AWFS Fair attendees and exhibitors have the opportunity to vote, will also be given. All winners receive cash prizes, and the winning pieces will be featured on the AWFS website and future publications.

For more information and entry instructions, visit AWFSFair.org or contact: AWFS Education & Member Services Director Nicole Taylor, (323) 215-0311 or nicole@awfs.org.

About AWFS Fair
The full-scale international AWFS Fair, scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday, July 13-15, 2027, in Las Vegas, has become a critical hub for international commerce in the woodworking industry. The AWFS Fair brings together the home and commercial furnishings industry, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, lumber, construction materials and other suppliers to the furniture.cabinet manufacturers and custom woodworkers. For more information, visit AWFSFair.org.