New England Region
Announces Judges and New Focus for the Best in Show Awards
TIVERTON, RI (October 11, 2016) ??? KL Communications and Rockler Woodworking and Hardware are pleased to announce that Philip C. Lowe and Rachel Arroyo will be the esteemed judges for the 21st Annual New England Fine Furnishings Show ??? Best in Show Awards.
Lowe is the owner and director of the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts and has been involved with woodworking since 1968. He is the author of many articles and is featured in videos with Fine Woodworking Magazine. His teaching experience includes ten years (1975 -1985) as an instructor at Boston???s North Bennett Street School and as the department head for the latter five. Lowe has been a visiting instructor, seminar speaker and demonstrator at various trade schools, private schools, woodworking organizations and national museums throughout the United States and Canada. Since 1985, he has operated a furniture making and restoration shop in Beverly, MA, producing work for the private sector and museums throughout North America.??In 2005 Lowe received the Cartouche Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Society of American Period Furniture Makers, and was also chosen in 2010 for the “Artisanship Award” bestowed by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America.??
Arroyo is the editor of Home Remodeling South Coast, Cape & Islands, South Shore, a magazine she has been with for 10 years. In addition, she has written for many of Lighthouse Media Solutions print publications???a diverse set of titles ranging from regional lifestyle magazines to special-interest, niche print publications such as New England Golf & Leisure and Southern New England Weddings, as well as Home Remodeling South Coast, Cape & Islands, South Shore???s sister publication, Southern New England Home. When she is not at the office, you can find her scouring the region for unique home remodeling projects or practicing her photo-stylist skills at photo shoots.
An exciting change in the awards program this year is the focus on New Product Debuts. Lowe and Arroyo will be selecting winners in five award categories, including a student award and the coveted Marc Harrison Award for Marketing Excellence. KL Communications wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the new work that exhibitors are introducing to their collections. ???The focus of the awards program on new product debuts is our way of supporting the growth and development of our exhibitors and their creative process. We want to encourage them to keep innovating, exploring new materials, trying new techniques and honing their skills,??? says Show Owner Karla Little.
Join our community on Facebook – www.facebook.com/finefurnishingsfinecraftshows – to learn more about this year???s award winners and our other talented exhibitors. This is where you will find our latest news, product debuts and get a glimpse into the daily life of some of our exhibitors. Show your support for annual shows offering American made, handcrafted furniture & accessories!