Charles Ambriano Jr. of Howell won best in show honors for traditional student work at the 16th annual Fine Furnishings and Fine Craft Show held in Providence, R.I. He won the award for a drum table, which took him about three weeks to make. HOWELL — Charles Ambriano Jr. of Howell won best in show honors for traditional student work at the 16th annual Fine Furnishings and Fine Craft Show held in Providence, R.I.
Ambriano won the best in show honors for a drum table that took him about three weeks to make. He is currently attending the North Bennet Street School, Boston. The school offers hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship.
“I was definitely shocked. Being 21 years old and bringing home best in show is a great accomplishment,” Ambriano said. “It was really the first table I ever built, fine furniture-wise.”
His drum table, one of dozens of student pieces that were entered into competition at the show, was based on furniture design of the neoclassical period (mid-18th to the 19th century). The piece was made from African mahogany and redwood burl, he said .
The table features hand-scratched beads that run the length of the legs, as well as a French-polished shellac finish.
Ambriano pursued woodworking and crafting fine furniture out of a desire to work with his hands.
“I always wanted to take things apart and put them back together,” he said. “I did not want to be behind a desk.”
After initially studying carpentry, he said he enjoys the challenge presented by creating fine furniture.
“It’s the precision of the work,” he said. “You have to be more delicate, more focused. The work has to be a lot better.”
After he graduates from the North Bennet Street School in February, Ambriano will apply his new knowledge and skills at CLA Woodworking, a shop he opened in Howell in 2010.
Ambriano graduated from Howell High School in 2008 and is also a graduate of the Monmouth County Vocational School, Hazlet. He attended the Taunton School and Howell Middle School South.
His table that won the best in show honors is available for purchase through the North Bennet Street School gallery store. Inquiries can be made in person, by phone at 617-227-0155, ext. 110, or online at [email protected].
For more information about CLA Woodworking, visit www.clawoodworking.com.