Northern Woods Exhibition
An Annual Exhibition at Eden Prairie Center
April 23 – 26, 2026
Welcome! Each year woodworkers from across Minnesota showcase some of their best, most unique, conversation-starting pieces of work at the annual Northern Woods Exhibition. From works of art to functional furniture this annual exhibition is an event all ages can appreciate.
Check out this Eden Prairie News article about the 2024 show!
The Exhibition takes place inside the atrium at the Eden Prairie Center and is completely free to attend! Visitors have a chance to see some of these incredible pieces up close, and learn a bit more about the craft of woodworking from the makers.
Check out some of the works from former shows, dating all the way back to 1996 by visiting our Gallery.
On Saturday, April 25th exhibitors will be available to talk with visitors about their pieces and answer questions about the craft. For details check out our Meet the Maker page.
Are you a woodworker who would like to enter your project?
With 14 different award categories, including one for “Best First Time in Show,” and over $4,000 in cash and prizes, we encourage woodworkers of all skill levels to enter their work for the Northern Woods Exhibition.
Registration is FREE for any member under 22 years old, and Guild memberships are free to woodworkers of these ages as well!
Interested in learning more about woodworking?
Education is one of the principal goals of the Minnesota Woodworkers’ Guild. Many of the pieces in this show reflect skills learned at monthly meetings, workshops, and seminars sponsored by the Guild. If you are a woodworker who wants to learn new techniques and meet with others who are willing to share their knowledge, please be our guest at a meeting and consider becoming a member.
Check out our list of local and national classes HERE.
Rules for Entry
Registration closes April 15, 2026.
Have you:
To further our goal to educate ourselves and the public about woodworking, we are adding a new feature to the Northern Woods Exhibition this year. On Saturday each year we feature a “Meet the Maker” event. We ask that ALL exhibitors be present at the Exhibition Saturday from 2 to 4 to meet other Guild members, and the public, to tell them about your adventures in woodworking and about the piece(s) you are exhibiting. While this is not a requirement to participate in the Exhibition, we do urge that you seriously consider joining us for this event. Announcing it to the public will be a key part of our advertising campaign for this year. We hope for it to draw a lot of inquisitive visitors to our marvelous exhibit of fine woodworking. It will be an educational experience for them, AND FOR YOU!
All exhibitors who participate in the Meet the Maker event will be eligible for a prize drawing at the end of the event.
The Minnesota Woodworkers Guild is a great VOLUNTEER organization. The Northern Woods exhibition is planned and executed by a small volunteer committee of dedicated Guild members. We’ve had some turn-over of personnel this year and really need your help.
To make the visit by the public to our Exhibition, we like to have a number of ‘guild members on hand on the exhibit floor to answer their questions and show them around. We do this in shifts of 2-3 hours. If you have some time to contribute to the success of our show, please volunteer. No experience necessary. We will train you when you show up for your shift.
Thank you for your help!
The Northern Woods Committee
Award Categories
Meet the 2026 Judges: Andrea Specht; Thomas Oliphant; Kevin Southwick.
Best in Show: The winning piece should exhibit the best qualities of most of the following categories.
Awards of Excellence (3): Each of the three judges will select an entry entirely at their own discretion for one of three Awards of Excellence. The intent of this award is to recognize a worthy entry that does not fit into another category or for some other reason cannot receive another award. They may also use this award for recognizing a piece that ran a close second to one of the other category winners.
Best Original Design: A well-designed piece must be both useful and pleasing to the eye. Will it perform its intended job? Good design is in large part a subjective opinion. It is difficult to define what good design should look like, but we can agree how it should affect a thoughtful critic. It invites a second, more intimate look, and asks to be touched by hand and spirit. This award is to be presented to the best original design, one that is not a copy of a previously designed piece..
Best Traditional Piece: This is an award for the piece which is built in the traditional manner, a reproduction or a piece heavily influenced by a traditional design. In addition, the Society of American Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM) will write an article about the winner of this award.
Most Technically Accomplished: This is an objective assessment. The best work will exhibit a mastery of many woodworking techniques. It will respect the limitations of working in wood. Qualities to look for include flawless treatment of surfaces, precise joinery and carefully controlled detail. The award will take into account the difficulty of the undertaking.
Best First Time in Show: Whether professional or amateur, this award goes to the best piece entered by a first time Northern Woods exhibitor.
Woodworking for Pleasure: This prize is awarded to the best piece exhibited by a person for whom woodworking is an avocation.
Best Detail: The finest craftsmanship is often just a small part of a piece but makes all the difference. This award goes to the best conceived and/or most deftly executed detail that really makes the piece stand out. This might be exceptionally well executed dovetails, a particularly nice carved detail, or exquisite inlay.
Best Finish: The finish may enhance the natural beauty of wood or alter its texture and color. A good finish elevates one’s perception of the piece to which it is applied. Depth, luster and clarity are characteristics of a good finish.
Best Turning: This award honors the tradition of turning. This winning piece will exhibit quality of form as well as execution.
Peer Award (Awarded by fellow entrants): This is decided by balloting among all Guild members coming to the show. You will be given a chance to vote for your favorite piece (other than your own) and runners up.
The People’s Choice (Voted for by visitors to the show): This award is determined by ballots submitted by the public. It recognizes those people’s favorite piece in the show.
Best Youth Piece Award: This award will be made to the “best” piece submitted by a youth, age 22 and under. The piece will be judged on overall craftsmanship. Areas to be considered will be selection of materials appropriate for the piece, execution of joinery, and quality of finish and its appropriateness for the piece. Complexity of the piece will be considered. Extra consideration will be given to pieces of original design.
Please Note: The Judges are solely responsible for deciding which pieces will receive awards. Their decisions are final.
MEET THE MAKER
Saturday, April 25th, 2026 from 2:00-4:00
Eden Prairie Center – Rotunda
Brought to you by the Minnesota Woodworkers Guild
Each year on Saturday we feature a “Meet the Maker” event. The makers of our fine pieces will be present at the Exhibition to display and discuss their craft, and for the community to view the best in high quality woodworking design and construction. Members will tell about their adventures in woodworking and about the piece(s) they are exhibiting. It will be an educational experience for EVERYONE!
Enjoy the Show!
Paul Ehrlich, President
Minnesota Woodworkers Guild
The Members Gallery is where you can view Award Winning pieces from Northern Woods Exhibitions all the way back to 1996. You can also view all of the entries submitted to the most recent show. Check out the Gallery and get inspired!
