• The San Diego Fine Woodworking Association has presented the Design in Wood Exhibition since the early 80’s. The exhibition is located at the San Diego County Fairgrounds, and it runs throughout the entire fair.

• The fair begins in the second week of June and goes through July 5th. The fair opens at 11AM on weekdays and 10AM on weekends. It is closed on Mondays, so it is open for a total of 22 days.

• About 1.2 million people attend the fair.• The Design in Wood Exhibition is housed in a 7500 sq. ft. room in one of the main fair

buildings.• The Design in Wood exhibition is one of the primary attractions at the San Diego County Fair.

Main Entrance to Show

• Entrants are welcome from all states and foreign countries.• There are 350-400 entries each year.

• Although the exhibition is presented by the SDFWA, it is presented in cooperation with several related local guilds:

– The Woodturners’ Guild, Ship Modelers Guild, Scrollsawing Association, and the Woodcarvers Guild each have booths at the fair where they run demonstrations continuously throughout the entire fair.

– The Violin Makers’ Guild and the Guitar Makers’ Guild alternate running demonstrations in the evenings.– In addition to these demonstrations, the SDFWA has a large booth where they make furniture and

demonstrate hand tool use.

Planning• Planning for the show begins in January.• The show is planned by a 30 member committee comprised of representatives from the

fairground’s management, the SDFWA, and each of the participating guilds.• The layout for the various pieces in the show is planned and laid out in advance.

Staffing• Each of the demonstration booths is staffed by volunteers from the corresponding

guilds.• Volunteers from the SDFWA walk the floor and answer questions.• The fairgrounds provides 11 paid staff members who help with the day to day

operation of the show. Staff members work 6-1/2 hours per day. • The fairgrounds also provides labor to help load and unload the booths, display

cases, and other items that are stored from year to year. • Volunteers set up the show. This includes assembling the booths and display

cases, signage, etc.

• Fairgrounds management collects a $20 administrative entry fee for each piece. • The SDFWA does not collect entry fees.• There are 22 different classes (categories). • Each class is eligible for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place prizes. • An unlimited number of Honorable Mention awards may be presented at the judges discretion.• Each of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place winners receive a cash prize and a Rosette.• There is also a Master Woodwork’s Trophy and a Theme award.• Participants are eligible for only a limited number cash awards.• In addition, there are about 25 donated (sponsored) awards. There are no eligibility limits for

sponsored awards.• The Best of Show award is selected from the 22 - 1st place winners.

Best of Show (Marquetry)

Judging• This is a juried show, but pieces are generally only disqualified if they are either too

large for the show floor, or if they are not made primarily of wood.• There are 16 judges for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and honorable mention prizes.• The SDFWA pays mileage and expenses plus a small stipend to these judges.• The sponsored awards are judged by the sponsor providing the award, but the

SDFWA will sometimes assist sponsors with locating judges.• Judging takes 2-3 days and is completed before the show opens.

Information Booth at Main Entrance is manned by paid staff

• A book with the artist’s biographies is located near the information booth. It might be difficult to keep traffic moving through if this information were locate near each piece.

Clipboards are available at the information booth that people can take with them to write down details of the pieces they are interested in and

request that the artist contact them.

Funding and Expenses

• The SDFWA contributes $10,000 • The San Diego Fairgrounds also contributes $10,000.

Staff is paid from the fairground’s contribution.• The Fairgrounds also donates 20,000 fair admission

tickets to the SDFWA to use as needed.• Volunteers are given two fair admission tickets for each

3 hour shift.• In the off season all display cabinets, demonstration

booths, signage, etc. is stored at the fairgrounds in 3 tractor trailers.

• The SDFWA also pays for some advertising and other miscellaneous expenses.

Sponsor information is displayed prominently on the show floor.

Notice the video monitors.They videotape the entire show ahead of time and

run the tape continuously through the show.

The SDFWA conducts demonstrations daily from 12:00-6:00. The Guitar Makers’ and the Violin Makers’ Guilds

alternate conducting evening demonstrations.

Past president, Ed Gladney was one of our hosts

Display case dedicated to Guitars

Ship Modelers’ Guild Booth

Woodturners’ Booth

Scrollsaw Club Booth

Display cases hold small entries, notice the video monitor

Staff conduct guided tours of the show several times a day. Notice the white gloves.