Marion Smith

Marion Smith of Atlanta, Georgia is the recipient of the 2024 Cartouche Award. Smith is one of the founders of the Peach State chapter and practiced law for forty years before turning seriously to furniture making. He has stated that he “accidentally” became a furniture maker after working on sailboats — he began making pieces for himself and to give away, and built an impressive portfolio especially noted for expertise in finishing.

Smith began taking classes in the early 1990s at Highland Woodworking in Atlanta, and continued with his chapter beginning in 2010 when it 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 Gallery of the Winter 2013 issue of Pins & Tales, and appears on the cover of the SAPFM membership brochure.

In 2011 he began teaching other woodworkers at the Peach State Chapter, and has since 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.

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 Award.