Andrew Swinley, carving foreman at Red Leaf Stone in Abbottsford, British Columbia, has been named 2016 Craftsman of the Year. The award was presented to Swinley at the MIA+BSI Awards Luncheon at TISE 2017 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Swinley began his career at the age of twenty as an apprentice stone mason, where he focused almost entirely on restoration. He then earned a degree in figurative sculpture from the City and Guilds Art School in London. After twenty years as a self-employed stone carver, Swinley accepted a position at Architectural Stonemasonry, a division of Red Leaf Stone.

“Andrew is a traditional stonemason and architectural carver; a man passionate in promoting the skills of his craft,” said Tony Rogac, shop manager at Red Leaf Stone. “His training and experience give him a unique insight into what is possible in stone. When you are passionate about something, you want to see excellence. When you have excellence in yourself, you want to see that brought out in others. That’s what Andrew does.”

For more information, visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org.