Vermont Woods Studios - Press Providence Fine Furnishings Award for Daniel Omondi Odhuno's Hand Carved Soft Table

Press

Local craftsman wins top honors for his wood work

By BOB AUDETTE, Special to the Brattleboro Reformer

Tuesday, November 7

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BRATTLEBORO -- Local craftsmen are celebrating the recognition of a local woodworker as one of the best furniture makers in the nation. At this year's Fine Furnishings Show in Providence, R.I., Kenyan native and Brattleboro resident Daniel Omondi Odhuno received a best in show award in the "traditional" category for an individual piece, a sofa table.

Using hand tools such as chisels and gougers, Omondi carved his table from Central American mahogany, decorating it with traditional East African floral and geometric designs.

"You have to follow the grains," said Omondi, adding he spent a solid month of work cutting, planing, sanding and carving the wood.

When Omondi is not carving ornate furnishings, he works as a carpenter, landscaper and a varsity soccer coach at Leland & Gray. This was Omondi's second award. Before leaving his native country, he was given a national award for his woodworking. "I have been so lucky this year, with the award and my commissions," he said. "I am very grateful."

Omondi's award is a success for a new collaborative of woodworkers called Vermont Woods Studio. The group, founded by Peggy and Ken Farabaugh, of Vernon, brought together a group of artisans interested in learning from each other. At the same time, Peggy Farabaugh launched the marketing arm for the studio, setting up a Web site and encouraging the woodworkers to produce furnishings from sustainably harvested wood. Tables and other furniture created by the studio's woodworkers are available online. "We are continuing our mission to create a community to work together, collaborate and celebrate each other's successes," she said.

Omondi showed his award-winning table at Rueter Woodworking and Gallery Friday night. Bob Rueter, who opened his gallery on Elliot Street last August, fell into woodworking because he liked to work with his hands. Though he still works with computers, his passion is woodworking, and after attending a three-month artisan course in Maine, he realized he wanted to open a studio. He said Vermont Woods Studio has proved to be an invaluable resource for him. "We are developing a group of woodworkers who meet, discuss and critique each other's pieces," he said. "It's very valuable."

Omondi, after reading about Vermont Woods Studio in the newspaper, signed on. With the support of the Farabaughs, Omondi has been able to attend craft fairs and furnishing shows, including the recent event in Providence. Farabaugh said Omondi was one of more than 200 woodworkers showing off more than 1,000 pieces at the show in Rhode Island. She said Omondi's award might bring more attention to Vermont woodworkers. "We hope it will illuminate the efforts of so many talented people,"she said.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Brattleboro and Vermont, to be able to stand up and say Vermont forest products are great," said Jason Breen, a local woodworker. Ken Farabaugh agreed. "To have someone in this community talented enough to win this award is amazing," he said.

Omondi's woodworking is a family tradition, passed down from his grandfather. His carving style, which is called Bajun, is a unique Swahili art heavily influenced by the cultural and religious traditions of Oman and India. His carvings are similar to those that can be found on furniture, doors and homes along the East African Coast. In 2001, Omondi moved to the United States, setting up his woodshop in a barn in Brattleboro. Currently, Omondi is fashioning a contemporary office table on commission. Through Vermont Woods Studio, Farabaugh has added techniques to his own woodworking repertoire by observing craftsmen like Omondi work.