A local high-end furniture maker continues to achieve milestones of success, most recently by earning the 2011 Carter Wosk Creative Achievement Award for B.C. Applied Art and Design.
Shawn Place is one of four recipients throughout the province honoured for his handmade, originally designed chairs that feature hand-woven cane seats and back and shaped timber.
"This is super cool," said Place, on winning the award. "This business is only three years old so it's all pretty new to me and it's still really fun and exciting."
Place's designs have also been shortlisted for Furniture Designer of the Year by Western Living Magazine.
"Aesthetically my furniture is somewhat Danish modern, sort of Japanese -- very minimal, just simple beautiful pieces," he said. "I try to make more of an heirloom item. I'm not interested in making disposable pieces. I want to make beautiful things that last forever."
Place, who is self-trained craftsman, moved from southern Ontario to Prince George about six years ago, and quickly discovered he could live a lifestyle conducive to his craft.
"You don't have to work too much to have a good life here," said Place.
Each recipient of the Applied Art and Design Award will be recognized at a presentation and exhibition event in the fall at Shaw TV Studios next month - no exact date has been set.
The award recipients each receive $5,000 and a British Columbia Creative Achievement Award seal to signify their creative excellence.
Place said he will use the money to attend the Interior Design Show, a tradeshow in Toronto, the biggest in Canada, that takes place Jan. 26 to 29, 2012.
Premier Christy Clark and British Columbia Achievement Foundation Chair Keith Mitchell announced the winners of the award in a recent press release.
"I congratulate these talented British Columbians for inspiring us with their work in applied art and design," said Clark. "They demonstrate the strength and vitality of our applied arts and design community and highlight our Province's record of creative achievement."
This year's recipients will join 26 previous recipients who have been honoured since the launch of the award in 2005.
"From jewelry to handcrafted chairs, wood furniture and glass art, today's recipients have applied their ingenuity to create innovative designs with a function," said Mitchell.
The other recipients of the 2011 Carter Wosk Creative Achievement Awards for Applied Art and Design are Joel Berman of Vancouver for glasswork, Brent Comber of North Vancouver for woodwork and Dina Gonzalez Mascaro of Vancouver for jewelry.
