Collaborating for a cause

In early September, 14 woodworkers gathered at Rubio Monocoat’s headquarters in Izegem, Belgium for the Rubio Monocoat Atelier event. They were split into two teams and challenged to build a piece of furniture that would later be raffled off to benefit a charitable organization.

“It’s not every day woodworkers from across the globe meet in one place to build something amazing. That’s exactly what took place at the Rubio Monocoat Atelier,” the company said.

The makers were provided with tools and materials, and each team made a unique coffee table.

Table 1 was crafted by Jeff Mack, Lucas Jablonski, Nick James, Bruce Kenneth, Pierre Bölmer, David Levantaci and Gaëtan Samyn. The piece was made from ash, oak and Patagonian walnut. It is held together with colored pieces of oak representing each of the makers’ native countries. It was finished with a variety of Rubio Monocoat products, including Precolor Easy Vintage Brown and Oil Plus 2C Pure.

Table 2 and a matching side table were crafted by Jason Hibbs, Richard Doyle, Craig Norton, Steve and Wood, Sylvie Pereira, Valentin Motsch and Jolene Brebels. The pieces were made from ash, oak and Patagonian walnut and finished with Oil Plus 2C Pure. The table features two live edge ash pieces connected with small wood strips laid in a geometric pattern. The top of the side table is an octagon shape made of oak. Both pieces have coordinating bases.

The coffee tables were auctioned on Nov. 16 to benefit Aynimundo, a charity out of Lima, Peru that helps disabled children access healthcare and education and reintegrate into society.

For more, visit rubiomonocoatusa.com.

This article was originally published in the December 2022 issue.