Orinda woodworker Tim Killen, recipient of the 2026 Cartouche Award from the Society of American Period Furniture Makers, has spent decades teaching and mentoring students in traditional and digital woodworking techniques through Mt. Diablo Adult Education and Diablo Woodworkers.
For woodworkers who care deeply about history, precision and craft, the Cartouche Award carries real weight. Bestowed annually by the Society of American Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM), it recognizes individuals whose work reflects not only technical mastery, but a commitment to teaching, preservation and the generosity that keeps traditional skills alive.
In 2026, that honor will go to Orinda resident Tim Killen.
Killen, a long-time member of Diablo Woodworkers and a familiar presence in the Mt. Diablo Adult Education woodworking program, was recently named the next recipient of SAPFM’s prestigious award.
The selection places him among a small and highly respected group of craftsmen, educators and advocates whose contributions have shaped the field of American period furniture making.
His path to period furniture began more than four decades ago, sparked by repeated visits to Colonial Williamsburg. In 1979, a new job took Killen and his family to Maryland, placing them within easy reach of the historic site. Weekend trips soon became routine, and one stop, in particular, left a lasting impression.
“Colonial Williamsburg had a tremendous influence on my direction in furniture,” Killen said. “I quickly discovered the Cabinetmaker’s Shop, which became my most visited stop.”
The experience went far beyond casual observation.
Killen immersed himself in the details of 18th-century craftsmanship, studying not only the furniture but the architecture and materials that surrounded it.
“The historic homes were filled with period furniture, and even the floors, windows and doors fascinated me,” he recalled. “I would spend hours in the Cabinetmaker’s Shop watching the craftsmen work, listening to their explanations, and studying the tools and designs. That experience sparked a lifelong passion that has never faded.”
That passion has since translated into decades of teaching and mentoring.
Through Mt. Diablo Adult Education in Pleasant Hill, Killen has guided countless students through the process of building classic furniture forms, emphasizing accuracy, patience and thoughtful design. Many local woodworkers credit his classes with fundamentally changing how they approach the craft.
Killen has also been instrumental in helping woodworkers embrace modern tools without losing sight of traditional methods. His classes on SketchUp, a 3D modeling program widely used for design and planning, have become a cornerstone of the adult education curriculum.
He is also the author of SketchUp Guide for Woodworkers, a practical resource that shows how digital design can support historical craftsmanship rather than replace it.
Within Diablo Woodworkers, Killen’s influence is just as evident. An active member for many years, he has served as Planning Committee leader, helping shape educational programming and fostering a strong sense of community within the club. His approach balances rigor with approachability, encouraging curiosity while holding students to high standards.
The Cartouche Award is SAPFM’s way of recognizing precisely this kind of sustained, meaningful contribution. According to the organization, the honor acknowledges individuals who have inspired or instructed others, or who have “made the world more pleasing as a result of their skillful labors.”
Recipients may be professionals or dedicated amateurs, but all share a devotion to craft and a willingness to pass knowledge forward.
For Killen, the recognition came as both a surprise and an affirmation.
“I’m thrilled to receive this award,” he said. “I had applied twice before and eventually assumed it simply wasn’t in the cards for me.”
Encouraged by colleagues, he decided to apply one final time. “I truly wasn’t expecting to win,” he added.
Now that he has, the honor carries a sense of responsibility.
“I feel both honored and humbled,” Killen said. “I’m also aware of the expectations that come with it – the presentations, the speeches and the work ahead.”
Having attended talks by previous Cartouche Award recipients, he admits he feels challenged to meet the standard they set.
Regarding the work he’s most proud of, Killen points to an ambitious reproduction of the Seymour Bookcase, documented as Catalogue Entry 20 in “The Furniture Masterworks of John and Thomas Seymour” by Robert D. Mussey, Jr. “It was an ambitious and deeply rewarding project,” he said.
Ultimately, Killen measures success less by individual pieces than by the impact of his teaching.
“I hope my students discover the personal rewards that come with this kind of craft,” he said.
Woodworking, he notes, has been especially meaningful in retirement.
“The weekly class is challenging,” he said. “But the camaraderie, the shared learning and the friendships have become something truly special.”
The Cartouche Award banquet will take place during SAPFM’s Annual Meeting, the exact date and location still to be announced.
