2024: Marion Smith

 The SAPFM Cartouche Award Selection Committee has chosen Marion Smith of Atlanta, Georgia as the recipient of the 2024 Cartouche Award. thumb Marion Smith

Smith is one of the founders of the Peach State chapter and practiced law for forty years. Smith stated that he “accidentally” became a furniture maker after working on sailboats. He began making furniture for himself and to give away. He has an impressive portfolio and many have noted his expertise in finishing. He began taking classes in the early 1990s at Highland Woodworking in Atlanta and with his chapter beginning in 2010 when the chapter was formed. He has written for American Period Furniture (“On the Trail of Secret Formulas for 18th Century Finishes, 2013) and Pins & Tales (“Denatured Alcohol: I’m Not Going to Drink the Stuff, for Heaven’s Sake”, Summer 2015)

One of his pieces, a mahogany Philadelphia Secretary Desk was featured in the Member’s Gallery of the Winter 2013 issue of Pins & Tales and it can also be seen on the cover of the SAPFM membership brochure. In 2011 he began teaching other woodworkers at the Peach State Chapter and has also taught at the Woodworker’s Guild of Georgia, the SAPFM Florida Chapter and the John C. Campbell Folk School. The letters of recommendation received by the Cartouche Award Selection Committee unanimously praised his attention to detail, thorough research and willingness to share his knowledge and skill.

 Portsmouth tea table  Georgia Governors Mansion Sideboard
 Walnut Philadelphia chest  Philadelphia Secretary closed pediment
Painted six board blanket chest  

  

The award will be presented at a banquet this summer at the annual SAPFM Midyear Conference and the 2024 edition of American Period Furniture will feature an article written by him as well as a biography of his furniture work by John Ogilvie. We congratulate Marion Smith for this well deserved honor and look forward to seeing more of his work.

From John Ogilvie’s nomination letter:

“In summary, Marion Smith is highly educated, not just in his professional career, but more specifically in furniture building and finishing. His depth of knowledge in period furniture, his workmanship, and his practical manner make him the consummate period furniture maker. These attributes coupled with Marion’s warm friendly manner, teaching skills, and generous charitable nature make him a person I consider to be an excellent candidate for the SAPFM Cartouche."