Arts and Crafts Center is back by popular demand

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Arts and Crafts Center has reopened and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for April 11 after it was closed December 2013 due to budget cuts.

Col. Darren James, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander, reopened the facility because of demand from the base population.

"I really encourage people to use it, otherwise we will lose it, forever," said Steven Long, the Arts and Crafts Center manager. "We are in a time were we can't afford to operate something that isn't utilized. Even though our hours are short now, they will extend once people start using it."

The new hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.

While open, the Arts and Crafts Center offers two areas workplaces for Airmen.

One is the woodworking area where Airmen can construct any wooden creation they can think of. The other is the crafting area, which is used primarily for engraving.

"We have two band saws, two table saws, a chop saw, planer and a joiner -- all the essentials you need to build just about anything," said Long about the wood shop. "I've seen people make headboards, bedframes, bars, desks, bookcases - all kinds of stuff."

The shop has catalogues available with plans and ideas for people to use for their own projects. However, a person can bring in a picture of something, they want to make as well.

"I really just need a photo of something, and I can help draw up some plans to make whatever it is," said Long, who has nearly half a century's worth of carpentry experience. "We won't do the work for you, but we will teach you everything you need to know to do it."

Not everyone who utilizes the shop knows what they are doing, but Long is always there to teach those willing to pick up a new skill.

"I will assist anyone who wants to learn," said Long. "If you're new to this and have an open mind, I will give you advice and teach you how to use the equipment."

While the Arts and Crafts Center has the tools, people wanting to build something will have to bring their own resources. Projects can be left at the shop up to 48 days before they are disposed of or repurposed for other projects.

"When someone wants to start a project and needs supplies, I will offer advice on where to get what they need for the best prices in town," said Long, who is a former chief master sergeant and senior enlisted advisor at Vance.

Beyond the staff at the shop, there are some individuals who have held their own classes like Senior Airman Johnathan Young, a 71st Operations Support Squadron weather technician.

Young brought a group of six Airmen living in the enlisted dormitories together to teach them some of the basics of carpentry.

As a result of the class, a new gazebo now stands outside the dorms for future residents to enjoy. Each Airman who helped build it left their signature in the wood.

"The Airmen who helped had never done anything like this before, so I had to teach them a lot before we got started." said Young, who learned carpentry from his father.

"The end result was good though. I would like to teach more classes in the future and make more improvements on base."

"I have most of the tools I need for my own projects at home, but sometimes I use the woodshop for what I don't have tools for," said Young, 29. "I thought it was a shame when I heard the Arts and Crafts Center was shut down. I'm glad it's open again and hope people use it."

Though some will use the shop for carpentry, most customers go to the crafts center for engravings.

This section of the Arts and Crafts Center has a laser engraver and mat cutter.

"Other than engraving, we can order frames or help people build custom frames," said Long. "Sometimes that saves them money because frames aren't cheap."

The most popular use of the engraving shop is for awards and trophies, said Avery Pillatzke, the Arts and Crafts Center assistant.

"A lot of people use us for award trophies and plaques because it's easy for people to customize things almost any way they want," he said.

Anyone wanting a special going away gift like a framed squadron photo or a crystal plaque with an engraving can get it through the Arts and Crafts Center.

"We get special discounts on materials like crystal, glass, trophies and wooden plaques, which allows us to pass those savings on to customers who would normally pay more for something like that," said Pillatzke, who learned engraving while stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Whether they save money when purchasing gifts for Airmen who are leaving due to a permanent change of station, or want to learn the art of carpentry, Team Vance members once again have access to a unique Air Force service. Join Vance senior leaders for a ribbon cutting April 11 at 3p.m. at the Arts and Crafts Center.