Crafty people

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Megan Sawtelle, 3rd Services Squadron coordinator, paints two ceramic eagles that will be affixed to a plaque at the Arts and Crafts Center, May 5, 2009. The center provides services to military members and their families varying from shadow boxes, plaques, pottery, glass blowing and many more styles of art.(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Owens)

Crafty people

Published May 12, 2009
By Airman Jack Sanders
3rd Wing Public Affairs

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, is home to a multitude of talented artist.

Whether their talents are drawing, painting, sculpting or photographing, the Arts and Crafts Hobby Center has something for everyone to enjoy.

The Arts and Crafts Hobby Center, located on 11th street across from the Kashim Club, is a place where anyone from young to old may come and embellish their artistic side with a variety of activities. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

"It makes for a great facility," said retired Lt. Col. Ken Baehr. "For guys like me that just do photography as a hobby, or some professionally, Tony teaches a frame class once a month. Once you take the class you can use the facilities just like you'd use the gym."

Framing is just one of the many opportunities the center offers. The framing class cost $65, and has a three-person minimum, and a six-person maximum. The class lasts approximately four hours and covers anything and everything the framing world needs to know.

"I can do this for probably half what it would cost me to go downtown," said Baehr referring to framing his photographs.

The center holds other classes as well, classes such as: drawing classes, basket weaving, stained glass, pottery and ceramics, all ranging in prices and length. "We have a stained glass studio where the stained glass classes take place," said Tracey Hunnewell, Far North Frame Shop coordinator. "We have a brilliant instructor," The stained glass class teaches the art of fusing glass into designs and shapes.

"Once a year, we do a photography contest," said Hunnewell. Around August, the center begins to call for photos for the contest. "Whoever wins here, we usually send up to the Air Force," she said.

One of the things about the arts and craft shop is that it's open to anyone base wide. "As long as they can be signed onto base, they can come in," said Hunnewell. They welcome spouses, any military member, and their family members who may have a slight interest in art.

For those interested in pottery, like all other activities offered at the center, classes are monthly. Those who aren't into sculpting are welcome to paint, or glaze, a sculpture, pot, or mug. Simply pick a work you like off the wall and get to work. "Grab one of those, 'Hey, can I paint it?' Yep, and then you just come on into the paint room," said Hunnewell.

The Arts and Crafts Hobby Center is all around a place where people can be as crazy and artistic as they like, and they encourage it.

For more information on class dates or prices contact the framing shop at 552-7012.