Last November, we had an absolute blast hosting another Arbortech Staff Power Carving Competition—and this year was a big one. We saw a record-breaking 27 entries, with everyone from total novices to seasoned experts getting involved. From the Production floor to the R&D lab, people from every corner of the building picked up tools and gave it a crack.
We started this competition 12 years ago with a simple goal: help our team truly understand our tools. Using them firsthand means better feedback for R&D and more genuine support for our customers. But honestly, the best part is watching people who claim they “aren’t creative” surprise themselves and uncover hidden talent. That was definitely the case for Maria and Geronimo from our production team. Both were first-time competitors—and both walked away with novice awards.
Geronimo created a striking piece of wall art: a rectangular fretwork panel featuring two parrots perched among tropical leaves. His use of negative space to silhouette the birds was especially impressive for a first attempt. Maria crafted a sleek, shallow bowl using the Spheroplane. Its dark finish highlighted the wood’s natural imperfections, giving the piece a modern, organic feel.
Our Graphic Designers swapped their pixels for wood shavings for the day. Our Designer Patricia, claimed the People’s Choice Award with her “Knotilus” shell, a beautifully carved nautilus form with textured ridges spiralling into the centre. It looked like a fossil freshly uncovered from the sand.
Another Designer, Luke, won over judge Pene with a chunky bowl carved from a burl. The rugged natural bark edge contrasted perfectly with the smooth, deep-red interior. He used wooden butterfly keys to stitch together a natural crack, turning a flaw into a standout feature.