Despite a turbulent year, the Chippendale International School of Furniture's class of 2020 put on a stellar display of their work during its Graduate Exhibition & Sale

The School's yearly show is the opportunity for graduating students to show the fruits of their labour following nine intensive months on the Professional Course. This year’s show was especially significant, highlighting both its 35th year and the resilience of students in the face of Covid-19 challenges.

Due to government restrictions, fewer visitors than usual would be allowed to attend the event. For the first time ever, the Chippendale School launched the show virtually, across social media and online, as well as in person.

On display were the designs from 2020's 20 graduates, with visitors having the opportunity to purchase the final pieces too. It was a testament to the excellence of all graduates that so many sold a number of their pieces across the four days of the event.

You can take a look at the online Exhibition here.

Highlighting student success

After the exhibition was wrapped up, a graduation ceremony was held for the students with friends and family joining on a Zoom call. Special awards were also given out to highlight those students who really shone throughout the last year.

The Student of the Year for 2020 was Tom Powell, who designed and made some exceptional furniture pieces on the Professional course this year.

While competition was fierce, the judges felt that Tom's furniture demonstrated such a high level of technical ability, being "beautifully simple as well as utterly functional". They added:

"He had a clear idea of what his signature style was from very early on in the course and that was apparent when admiring his exhibition stand.

"The branding of his new business, Moidart Woodwork, is clean, contemporary and strikes the right chord with the buying public. That was clear to see from the success he had in selling the furniture that he made on the course. Tom is staying on with the Chippendale School to launch his business from its graduate workshops, Myreside Studios."

There were also more awards announced, with James Bullen winning Student’s Choice, chosen amongst the students themselves. Best Design went to Fran Bullinger for her outstanding Forest Cabinet, while the Marketing award went to Richard England. Finally, visitors to the exhibition voted for Stewart Musk as Public’s Choice this year.