A Marienville artisan took third place at the Allentown Art Festival in Buffalo, New York .
Bob Vrboncic won the $250 prize in the “Creative Crafts Hard” category for his bubinga burl top jewelry box, beating out 50 competitors.
Future Antiquities LLC, Vrboncic’s wood crafter business located in Marienville, has been creating functional wood art in the Marienville area for over 10 years. Vrboncic creates 3D cuttings boards, jewelry boxes, trivets and custom pieces.
Vrboncic handcrafts each piece, which he learned during an apprenticeship with master craftsmen in a creative productions course during high school. He has continued to perfect his craft over the years and is pursuing woodworking full-time during retirement.
Vrboncic is an active member of the Forest Area Arts Council and will be participating in many local and regional art shows.