The Chippendale School’s annual Graduate Exhibition and Fine Furniture Sale returned this June in a spectacular display of fine furniture creations and remarkable craftsmanship.
27 furniture makers showcased the stunning results of 9 months of training on the school’s Professional Course. During the 4-day event, the graduating students exhibited their pieces to over 1,000 visitors – a record-breaking turnout for the event.
Following two challenging years, with various Covid-19 regulations in place, the 2022 Graduate Exhibition and Fine Furniture Sale was a welcome return to full in-person capacity. It was a testament to the student’s talent and skill that visitors from across the UK and around the globe came to the School to marvel at and purchase the furniture designs on display.
On the first day alone, 36 number of pieces had sold, and more commissioned. By Saturday, the final day of the exhibition, 55% of the furniture on display had been sold – a huge triumph for the class of 2022.
Among the talented woodworkers graduating from the Professional Course, several students were recognised for their dedication, skill, and unique style.
Alirio Pinilla was awarded Student of the Year for his impressive technical ability, precision, and approach to woodworking. Pinilla, the founder of Pinali Furniture, focuses on creating timeless bespoke pieces that use high-quality, locally sourced materials.
On winning the award, Alirio said “it was a moment of absolute happiness, with a mix of smiles, hugs, and tears. There was also a sense of satisfaction because my goal when I started the course was to learn and enjoy as much as possible, and I did my best in both.”
Additional awards went out to Molly Johnston, who won the Best Design Award; Karthik Dilipan, winner of the Public’s Choice Award; Marion Morris received the Thomas Chippendale Award for Marketing and Zaman Hazir won the Student’s Choice Award.
All of our Professional Course graduates enter the Fine Furniture Guild upon graduating, giving them a platform to display their work and kickstart their fine furniture making careers. Watch out for many new faces appearing in the Fine Furniture Guild directory over the coming months!
Interested in becoming a furniture maker? It could be you exhibiting at the next Graduate Exhibition! Find out more about our 30-week Professional Course here.