Entries are open for the 2021 Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge, offering the opportunity for entrants to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes for exemplary woodwork using veneer.

Grand Prize of $3,000 is available to the designer, craftsman, or manufacturer who enters the best work of submitted in the view of a panel of expert judges. But not only does the maker win, the Grand Prize awards also include $2,000 for the supplier of veneer for the winning piece and $1,000 to the salesman who sold the veneer.

In addition, there are separate category prizes of $1,000 each for Architectural, Cabinetry, Furniture, Marquetry, Specialty Products, and Student Work.

It’s easy to enter online and post your entry, including photos. The entry deadline is June 7 for this year’s contest. Winners will be announced at a special event at AWFS in Las Vegas.

In the past, judges have repeatedly mentioned how important quality photographs were to their decision, so entrants might want to check out some photographic advice from Scott Grove, who is a past winner of the contest and has served multiple times as a judge.

Patrice Lejeune captured the Grand Prize in 2020. He is a furniture maker and marquetry expert who is adept in traditional French marquetry as practiced during the 17th and 18th centuries. His piece, “Treasure Box III,” put all that skill on superb display. Inspired by a marquetry coffer attributed to Andre-Charles Boulle and currently in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum, the piece was downsized by a third to be more appropriate to modern interiors. The box features spectacularly detailed marquetry tableaus on all sides, featuring 40 different species of wood selected for their historical pertinence. Species include boxwood, espanilla, walnut, cherry, holy, pink ivory, yew, olive, pear, mahoganies, hornbeam, and dyed wood.

You can also see pictures and read about the 2020 winners.