Free Admission | Open to the public | Southcentre Mall - Centre Court | Open during mall hours
The Southern Alberta Woodworkers Society proudly presents this year’s Fine Works in Wood Exhibition, a continuation of a story that began in 1983 and has grown into a thriving community of makers. For more than four decades, SAWS has built a legacy of craftsmanship while evolving into a place where woodworkers learn from one another, find inspiration, and share their passion with the public.
The pieces you see here represent not only years of dedication but also the power of mentorship and connection. Our community thrives when knowledge is shared, from experienced members guiding newcomers to friends exchanging techniques, and this exhibition reflects those relationships as much as it does the artistry itself. Jurors have once again noted the rising standard of excellence, a testament to the commitment and creativity of our members.
We are also grateful for the partnerships that sustain this work. Businesses and organizations that support woodworking provide our members with resources, opportunities, and encouragement, strengthening both the society and the broader craft.
As you explore this exhibition, we invite you to celebrate both heritage and future. This is more than an exhibition; it is a living testament to what can be achieved when skill, community, and passion for woodworking come together.
Click on the large image above for more information about the piece.
Letter From The Chair
On behalf of the Southern Alberta Woodworkers Society (SAWS), I would like to welcome you to our biennial Fine Works in Wood Exhibition and Sale.
The 2025 exhibition features fifty-four pieces of skillfully crafted woodwork by twenty-seven artists. Each piece first passed a Standards Committee review and was then evaluated by a three-member external jury. This process ensures that only works of the highest quality are included in the exhibition.
This year, SAWS celebrates its 42nd anniversary. Since its inception in 1983, part of our mandate has been to bring before the public fine examples of woodwork. SAWS members are a diverse group of amateurs and professionals, all sharing the goal of creating beautiful and lasting works in wood. Our motto is “where woodworkers learn.” Information about membership and upcoming activities can be found on our website at www.saws.ca
I would like to extend my thanks to Southcentre Mall for hosting this exhibition and to our sponsors for their generous support. My appreciation also goes to the hard-working exhibition committee, the standards committee, and all SAWS members who have helped make this exhibition a success. Finally, I would like to thank the makers for their time, talent, and enthusiasm in creating such inspiring works of woodcraft.
I hope you enjoy your experience at the SAWS Fine Works in Wood Exhibition and Sale.
Tom Gorman
2025 Exhibition Chair
2025 Exhibition Catalogue - When Available
Exhibition Catalogue PDF
Purchase a Catalogue
At the Exhibition
At a Monthly Members Meeting while Supplies Last
Exhibition Standards Committee
A Standards Committee is appointed to ensure that a high level of woodworking craftsmanship is attained by all entries.
Herm Stolte (Standards Chairman) is a founding member of SAWS, a former Industrial Education teacher and a professional woodworker specializing in custom turning, furniture repair and artistic turnings. He has an interest in wood as a material and in wood identification. He resides in Calgary.
Dave Ross has been a SAWS member since 1995. Operated a woodworking business for over 20 years. Enjoys hiking and backcountry skiing. Currently retired.
Bill Maniotakis is a hobby woodworker and maker with no formal training in woodworking. He joined SAWS in 2008 after attending the 2007 Exhibition and entered works in every exhibition since then. Bill has served eight years on the Board as Treasurer, chaired the 2013 exhibition and has been on the Standards Committee since 2017.
Fred Coates is 70 years old and began working with wood to build tree forts using nails, lodgepole pine, and repurposed concrete forms. He is perpetually grateful for the support and freely shared knowledge that he has encountered as a member of SAWS. The consistent quality of work presented every two years has remained a constant source of inspiration for him in his creative endeavors.
Exhibition Jury Committee
An independent Jury consisting of art and design professionals is appointed to judge the accepted entries on originality of design, choice of materials, artistic merit, professionalism of presentation and craftsmanship. Based on this, the Jurors go on to determine which pieces merited Awards in each category.
Ed Marchand (Jury Marshall) is a retired Calgary school superintendent and the Secretary of SAWS. As the Jury Marshall, he gave instructions to the Jury according to the criteria laid out by the Exhibition Committee. This enabled the Jury members to use their artistic expertise to give out the various awards.
Donna Barrett is deeply embedded in the Calgary and Alberta arts communities. Barrett received her BFA (with Distinction) in Interdisciplinary Studies from the Alberta College of Art and Design in 1995 and her MFA from the University of Saskatchewan in 2006. Since 1993, she has apprenticed, volunteered, and exhibited while concurrently working as a visual arts administrator, educator, and director/curator for artist-run centres, public art galleries, and post-secondary institutions within Alberta.
She has developed a sculpture practice that utilizes photography to create 3D illusions and transform 2D images into sculptures. She exhibits under her maiden name, White. Barrett’s works can be found in the collections of the Alberta Government, the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, and the University of Saskatchewan.
Kerry Harmer is a design evangelist with a Ph.D in Environmental Design and a Masters degree in Industrial Design. She specializes in creative innovation workshops rooted in design thinking and has extensive experience in strategic planning, partnership building, and fostering collaboration across organizations.
She is currently the Innovation Designer and Ignition Lead at KPMG Canada, where her work focuses on emerging technology, digital transformation, and applied research. With expertise in prototype production and manufacturing, Kerry brings ideas to life while continuing her contributions as a Designer, Maker, Educator, and Entrepreneur.
James Clark graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture in 1999. He continued at McGill, obtaining his Masters in Architecture, following which he moved on to the University of Cambridge where he obtained a Masters of Criminology. In 2004 he moved to Calgary Alberta in order to continue his career in architecture. Jamie has worked on numerous project types including residential, commercial and office, and spent just under ten years at one of western Canada’s largest architecture firms, where he was a studio lead.
Outside of the office Jamie is active as a photographer and visual artist, and is active in Calgary’s arts community.
Award Winners
Best Overall - 1st Place, Best Furniture Category
Best Overall - 2nd Place
Best Overall - Honourable Mention
Sponsors
Anilin Decorating Centre Ltd.
SAWS sends its thanks to everyone who played a role in ensuring the success of this exhibition
Oxford Properties Group for hosting and promoting the Exhibition at the Southcentre Mall.
Deltatee Enterprises Ltd for hosting the Photographer, Standards Committee and Jury Committee for the evaluation process and photography of each piece entered into the exhibition.
Howard Mah for photography of exhibition pieces.
Exhibition Volunteers for their countless hours of service!
Tom Gorman - Exhibition Chair
Darrell Aunger - SAWS President
Masoud Sahebkar - Treasurer
Jared Howkins - Communications Chair
Terry Hockaday - Communications
Ed Marchand - Jury Marshall
Herm Stolte - Quality Planning
Lou Girard - Scribe
Nancy Wiebe - Website
Tam Godfrey - Display Lead
Carey Henitiuk - Display Co-Lead
