Like Buses…
Now I don’t think it’s a stretch to describe cabinetmakers as a creative bunch. It kind of goes with the territory, especially for those that consider themselves designer-makers. For some students at Rowden, studying furniture making is a way to channel a pre-existing, known creative ability. For others, their creativity needs to be nurtured, teased out – or otherwise cajoled into showing itself. But by and large, by the end of the year, all I can say is that they have had a great opportunity to cultivate their creative abilities whilst learning fine furniture making.
Sometimes our students’ creative skills show themselves in other ways too. For example, at the moment there are no less than five very accomplished guitar players who are all studying at Rowden together. They didn’t arrive as a quintet ensemble of strummers (that would have been pretty weird). Instead, it’s just a rather delightful coincidence.
There’s a guitar in the kitchen that anyone is free to pluck, and right now barely a tea break goes by without someone picking it up and playing something – and playing rather well. Even Daren has been known to play, a man of many talents it seems. And for many of them this is the perfect chance to indulge one of their favourite hobbies.
I’ve always thought that the year at Rowden is a perfect way to develop a set of skills oriented around furniture for a year. For many students the year is a way to develop those skills, for sure, and to develop so many others besides.
Until next time,
Lakshmi
