Chair to be Different
20th annual Fine Furniture student project showcase
June 21-28, 2008 @ On Canvas Art Gallery
After ten months of training, 15 graduating students will showcase their final projects in the 20th annual year-end exhibition of the Camosun College Fine Furniture program.
This year, Fine Furniture students were challenged to design and build a chair made of western maple. Two requirements had to be met: each chair must be useable for functional seating, and also built in such a way that it can be shipped by companies like FedEx, UPS and Canada Post.
“Our students learn to balance their skills and artistry with economic reality,” explained Cam Russell, Camosun’s program chair of architectural trades. “There is a viable global market for made-in-Victoria furniture designs.”
All the western maple was donated to Camosun College by the Vancouver Island Woodworker’s Guild. The Guild’s wood recovery program reclaims trees from municipalities, developers and highway maintenance crews that otherwise would have ended up as firewood. The reclaimed wood is milled and delivered to Camosun for kiln drying suitable for use in furniture making.
The student projects will be judged by a panel of experienced furniture industry designers, builders and retailers. Judging takes place at the gallery from 1-3pm on Friday June 20, and the winner will be announced when the exhibit opens that evening at 7pm. The student judged to have the best piece will receive a $500 award, also donated by the Guild.
The public is welcome to view the Chair to be Different exhibit at the On Canvas Art Gallery, 538-B Yates Street, Victoria, BC. The exhibit is open to the public until Saturday June 28, 2008. Gallery hours are noon-5pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
