Building Skills in Bustling Woodwork Classes at The Umbrella

By Pamela Ellertson

A recent visit to the new wood crafting class at The Umbrella Community Arts Center reveals a hive of focused activity. Students aged 6- to 9-years old and clad in safety goggles drill, measure, and saw on pieces of wood under the watchful eye of their teacher, Rita Roy. In a few weeks’ time, they hope the results of their handiwork will be a personal bubble gum machine. Roy, sporting safety goggles as well, looks completely at ease amidst the bustle.

While she describes her primary occupation as mom of two young girls, her current work schedule also includes leading three woodworking classes at the Umbrella, teaching arts and science at Athenaeum Learning Center in Pembroke, and running her business, Physics for Show, a stage design company for which Roy produces YouTube segments.

Says Roy, “I’m hyper-active and having a freestyle work environment works best for me.”

"SKILLS TO TAKE WITH THEM"

That same energy likely fueled Roy’s academic aspirations, resulting in a BFA in theater technology and design from Florida State University followed by a master’s degree in physics from UMASS Dartmouth. Still, says Roy, “I build differently than probably your grandfather [did]. Then it was supposed to last years, whereas I build stuff that will stay together to use in the short term-- that’s not meant to be beautiful. The expectation is that students will build something useful and take the skills along with them.”

While a bat box made in Roy’s upper-level class may only last a season or two, Roy says knowing how use a hammer will help her students one day manage small home repairs like replacing a broken drawer pull in their dorm room, with ease.

PROJECTS SELECTED OR "DISCOVERED"

Students hone those skills on a variety of projects, and sometimes even determine what the class will build, as happened this fall when one enterprising boy brought in blueprints for the bubble-gum machine. More often, however, projects are selected according to what donated materials are on hand or “discovered” by Roy’s sharp eye.

“I keep a small part of my shed full of scraps," she says. "I see stuff go out to the dumpster and redirect it to my car, especially stick lumber like a 2’ X 4’, or anything two feet or longer.”

Although new to teaching, Roy is confident she is on the right path: “When I first took the job, I had a girl show up with her perfectly done nails and hair. When she first swung a hammer and got this ‘Wow!’ look on her face, I realized I really enjoyed teaching.”

MORE INFORMATION

For information on woodworking classes or other arts programs for youth, teens and adults, the public can call 978-371-0820, visit TheUmbrellaArts.org/education, or contact info@theumbrellaarts.org. New classes for Winter 2019 start as early as January 5.

Pamela Ellertson is a freelance feature writer whose work has appeared in international, national, and local publications. She enjoys volunteering for organizations that enrich the community and inspire creativity. Photos by Pamela Ellertson for The Umbrella Arts Education.