The "Upcycling Youth Wood Workshop" we organize every year has always been very popular, by the end of 2023, there were more than 200 young students participated in this program. One of the 2022 graduates – Peggy, who works in the arts, didn't stop after completing both Introductory and Advanced Workshops, but continued to study wood crafts with the instructor to further improve her skills. She put her knowledge to use and formed a team with other graduates to serve as instructors in Taster Workshops, teaching children of all ages to make simple wooden works, thereby passing on this traditional craft.
Let’s go to the film and listen to what Jade has to say.
Students in "Upcycling Wood Workshops" are really versatile, those with artistic backgrounds are able to add more artistic elements when learning wood crafts, and Peggy is one of them. Peggy studied art and design and is engaged in art-related work. With little exposure to 3D and woodworking, after visiting the Kwu Tung Chi Kee Timber Factory, she discovered that Hong Kong’s wood industry was very prosperous in the past, and became interested in wood art, that's the reason she decided to join our workshops. Peggy feels that the concept behind the "Upcycling Wood Workshop" is very meaningful, students can learn a new skill and pass on wood craftsmanship, waste wood can also be upcycled into practical wood works and donated to those in need. It is the inheritance of three aspects: wood art, environmental protection and love. Peggy shares: I was so happy to meet a group of like-minded friends at the workshop, it turns out that people interested in wood crafts can come from different ages and occupations. I feel grateful of the opportunity to learning the legendary tenoning technique. It is not as difficult as I thought, but it is definitely a skill that requires time to explore and hone. Peggy really hopes to continue learning wood crafts, that's why after taking the Introductory Wood Workshop, she enrolled herself in the advanced workshop without hesitation. Peggy hopes to continue to improve her woodcraft skills, apply what she has learned, and pass on this traditional craft.
Students in the "Upcycling Wood Workshops" come from all walks of life. Among them, graduate Jade is an arborist. She comes into contact with fresh or newly fell trees every day but has less contact with treated wood, wood workshops gave her the opportunity to understand the characteristics and materials of different trees in a multi-faceted way. Jade said that workshop benefited her a lot, not only did she learn how to make different types of woodworks according to the characteristics and materials of wood, she also learned a new craft and developed patience. Jade is very happy that she can try to restore the old furniture in her house in the future. Jade thinks it is a very meaningful thing to donate handmade woodworks to those in need, "Our woodworks, such as shelves and coffee tables, are all tailormade for those in need! We hope that grassroots citizens will like it and feel our thoughts after receiving it". After graduating from wood workshop, Jade didn't stop there. she continues to study carpentry with mentor Mr. Lee, hoping to further consolidate and improve my skills. She was pleased to share that she and other graduates from wood workshop were like a team, they held a taster workshop for primary school students. They hope that children can be exposed to wood art in an interesting way, and wood crafting can be passed down to the next generations.
Upcycling Wood Workshop has been the most popular events from our project, by 2023, more than 200 youths have participated in our workshops. Ah Fa, one of our graduates, not only furthers her studies in wood crafting after completing Introductory and Advanced Wood Workshops, but also began to workshop instructor, teaching the public to make simple wood products. She said that by participating in wood workshops, not only her knowledge in wood crafts has been improved, she also met a group of like-minded partners and benefit the community by donating wood products to social welfare organizations. She hopes she can infect people around her and pass on the spirit of woodworking.
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