Workin’ on your creative side

The 86th Force Support Squadron provides Airmen and their families multiple avenues of entertainment.

One example is the Arts and Crafts Center, which has multiple classes and other opportunities to express creativity.

“We have a multitude of shops and classes for service members and their families to participate in,” said Lydia Allensworth, Arts and Crafts Center clerk. “Some shops include ceramics, framing and the wood craft center.

Classes we offer include the wood skills safety class, Wilton cake decorating classes, pottery and other classes for children throughout the month.”

The Arts and Crafts Center also offers the engraving shop, which provides engravings for various materials.

“Basically, we do laser engraving on wood plaque, acrylic, glass, pretty much anything but heat-treated material,” said Daniel Bojorquez, Arts and Crafts Center recreation aid. “I can put pretty much anything on that material, like words and pictures. We make these things for any number of occasions, like going away gifts or decorations in general.”

Arts and crafts can be more than just a way to express creativity, it can be a way to escape for a while.

“I think doing arts and crafts is a therapy, it’s a way to get out and take time getting your mind off things,” Allensworth said. “I know in my case it helped a lot during my husband’s deployment. Personally, my favorite thing is the pottery wheel because it’s calming and relaxing to me, plus I can claim that it’s something I made.”

Participating in various events offered at the Arts and Crafts Center provides members a new way to meet people.

“I am a very social person, so I love to be able to interact with the customers and talk to them. Before, I was stuck at home all day while my husband was deployed,” Allensworth said. “I get to talk to other people and get to hear the different kinds of stories they have.”

Bojorquez said the different aspects of his job keep his days interesting.

“I think what I do is fun, I get to meet a lot of people and it keeps me on my toes,” he said. “My job is made up of about 70 percent computer work and around 200 percent imagination.”

For more information about what the Arts and Crafts Center has to offer, contact them at 480-6534 06371-476534.