Over $20,000 in cash prizes is up for grabs in Against the Grain 2027. Students, enthusiasts and professionals can compete across Functional & Furniture, Artistic & Ornamental, and Australian Woodturning, with $1,500 awarded to each division winner, $2,500 to each Overall Category Winner, plus $500 for People’s Choice and Captain’s Pick.
Who can enter?
Against the Grain welcomes woodworkers at every stage, from students and passionate enthusiasts to seasoned professionals. Enter the division that best reflects your experience: Student, Amateur, or Professional. Every entry is judged within its division, giving each maker a fair opportunity to showcase their skill and creativity.
Three categories to enter
Choose the category that best reflects your work: Functional & Furniture, Artistic & Ornamental, or Australian Woodturning. Each celebrates a different approach to timber, from practical design and skilled craftsmanship to creative expression.
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Functional & Furniture
This category celebrates practical
pieces like tables, chairs, cabinets,
and other functional items. -
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Artistic & Ornamental
Focus on decorative and creative pieces
like carvings, sculptures, instruments
and ornamental designs. -
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Australian Wood Turning
The classic event, this category is dedicated to any lathe-based creations, including bowls, vases, spindles, and other turned pieces.
Important Dates
Keep these key dates in mind as you prepare your entry. From submissions opening to the finalists’ exhibition at TT&T Melbourne, here’s everything you need to know.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 31 January 2027 | Entries open |
| 31 August 2027 | Entries close |
| 10 September 2027 | Finalists announced |
| 8 October 2027 | Invitational Awards Night |
| 8 October 2027 | Winners announced |
| 9 October 2027 | Finalists’ projects exhibited at TT&T Melbourne |