By SANDI SWITZER

The beauty of the Green Mountain State’s trees beyond the brilliance of spectacular autumn foliage will be on display at the sixth annual Vermont Fine Furniture and Woodworking Festival at the Union Arena in Woodstock September 26- 27.

The Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association (VWMA) has partnered with Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park to host the celebration of artistry and forest stewardship in this picturesque village.

More than 50 artisans who work with wood will showcase their craftsmanship through demonstrations and displays of products ranging from finely crafted home furnishings and turned bowls to intricate hand-carved ornaments.

Many of the artisans utilize skills passed down from generation to generation, and are committed to supporting the forest products industry by using wood grown locally in sustainable managed private forests.

“Our industry has very quietly been environmentally conscious for many years even before green was fashionable,” said group spokesperson Kathleen Winner. “Many of our woodworkers source their wood locally because they do believe in supporting the forest products industry and they do believe in using local products wherever possible.”

With that support, wood artisans are able to reduce the carbon footprints of many items they produce. “More and more, we see that consumers really want to know whether a product was made from sustainable harvested wood, and I would say we are very committed to supporting the forest products industry in Vermont and supporting the use of locally grown, sustainable harvested wood,” Winner said.

Approximately 80 percent of the state is covered by forest lands, and a majority of that property is held by private non-industrial landowners. Forest product companies employ approximately 14,000 Vermonters.

The mission of the festival is to build awareness of the quality, authenticity and integrity of the Vermont brand in wood products.

“Vermont-made wood products are known for quality, craftsmanship and design,” Winner said. “So, what we really want to do is give consumers who care about quality an opportunity to see and shop for quality wood products.

“They will also have the experience of forest-to-finish products, which is why we let them go into the woods at Marsh-Billings, because that’s where it all starts.”

Visitors to this year’s festival can browse exhibits at Union Arena, enjoy live music and local food and make purchases. There will be special hands-on activities for children.

Many favorite past exhibitors will be returning along with several new ones including Bowen Woodworking of Dorset, Andrews Furniture of Quechee, Naylor and Breen Builders, Inc., of Brandon and On Vermont Time of Derby Line.

Featured demonstrations will include Douglas Brooks Boat Builder of Vergennes; The Woodcarvers Depot of Barre; Montague Custom Woodturning of Groton; TJF Turnings LLC of Shelburne; and two new demonstrators – MW Tulloch Windsor Chair maker of Chelsea and Crafts by Sophia, based in Rutland.

“Michael Tulloch will be making chairs, which is a first for us, and Crafts by Sophia will include turnings made with laminates from Rutland Plywood,” Winner said.

Another festival first will be The Naked Table project, which will feature felled, sawed, dried and shaped parts of 100-year-old maple trees to be assembled into 15 tables by festival attendees, who will then be able to take their creations home at the end of the weekend. This Shackleton Thomas exhibit is meant to fuse community sustainability, family togetherness and creativity.

“We’ve been thinking a great deal about what we are doing and how it relates to two issues facing our country and our world – the economy and the environment,” said company founder Charles Shackleton. “This creative, fun, weekend project demonstrates our environmental and socially responsible company philosophy, as well as the ideals of the Woodstock community and Vermont.”

Winner indicated the festival had been seeking workshops with an eye toward consumer participation. The Naked Table project connects people with the environment and the forest products industry, she said.

“Folks can sign up to make the tables; then on Sunday, 90 people will be able purchase seats at the tables for a catered dinner of local foods,” Winner explained.

A student woodworking competition will offer younger artisans the opportunity to display their efforts with reviews and evaluations by professional woodworkers.

“This year, the only design competition will be for students. There is a lot of interest from those particular schools that have woodworking programs,” Winner said. “They like to give their students the opportunity to meet other woodworkers, and they like to give them the opportunity to design for this arena.”

Winner said it’s important for the industry to support woodworking programs in schools. “It’s unfortunate that we don’t give many kids the chance to work with their hands today,” she said.

Beyond Union Arena, a complimentary shuttle will take visitors to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park to tour the mansion and gardens. Visitors also will be able to hike in the forest with park rangers; enjoy horse and carriage rides through the woods; craft walking sticks; and view woodcraft demonstrations.

The American Forest Foundation will co-sponsor a conservation forestry workshop that will run both days at the park. “The American Forest Foundation is the sponsoring organization of the American Tree Farms System, and Marsh-Billings is tree farm number one in Vermont,” Winner said. “They have been a tree farm for 50-plus years.”

The sixth annual Vermont Fine Furniture and Woodworking Festival is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Union Arena on Route 4 in Woodstock. Admission to the arena is $7 for ages 18 and up; park admission is free.

This year’s event is being sponsored by VWMA, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park, Champlain Hardwoods, Chittenden Bank, Woodstock Inn and Resort, Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing and The American Tree Farm System.

For more information, visit www.vermontwoodfestival.org.