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Craft Enrichment Series binds community, students, faculty |
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Thursday, 06 March 2008 |
 Eric Reichard, ceramics professor in the technology department and the craft enrichment program, throws a tiny pot in the ceramics lab. Class costs range from $88 to $184 for eight sessions. Photo by Anna Donlan
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by JACQUELINE SCOTT
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Ceramics, metalworking, jewelry, architecture, and dulcimer construction are just a few of the classes offered in the Craft Enrichment Series.
This year, the department of technology’s Michael R. Patricelli Craft Enrichment Program, modeled after North Carolina State University’s Craft Center, will celebrates its 10th year.
The non-profit series is offered annually for three semesters.
Class costs, determined by the materials used, range from $88 to $184 for eight sessions.
“I look at the series as a creative outlook for students,” professor of technology and director and
founder of the Craft Enrichment Program Eric F. Reichard said. “A lot of times we have students that
come in from high school who have had a lot of art background and craft classes, and then they decide
to go into business. That’s when all those creative outlets disappear.”
 Eric Reichard, ceramics professor in the technology department and the craft enrichment program, throws a tiny pot in the ceramics lab. Class costs range from $88 to $184 for eight sessions. Photo by Anna Donlan
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The program gives students an opportunity to re-channel their creative outlets or perhaps try their hand
at a new passion.
“I felt that we needed this in Boone and at Appalachian just because there wasn’t an opportunity for
students to take enrichment classes,” Reichard said. “If you were a student wanting to take a ceramics
class, you could take one in our series or you could take one in the art department after about four
required foundation classes.”
The series brings together faculty members, the community, and students in a non-evaluative,
low-stakes environment.
“We probably have almost as many community people as university people. It’s a mix and blend of our
true community rather than just the university,” Reichard said. “It’s also a good opportunity for the
community and faculty to mix with the students. There are a lot of good exchanges that take place on
that level.”
Instructors of the enrichment classes include faculty members or professionals from the community.
Currently, assistant professor of technology R. Chad Everhart instructs a “Residential Architecture:
Before You Build” course.
“Our area has a serious affordable housing crisis,” Everhart said. “My idea was to provide people
access to a local architect for a small class fee in an effort to educate them about basic design
principles, lot selection, solar orientation, realistic timelines and budgets, and fees associated with
designing a home.”
The “Residential Architecture: Before You Build” enrichment class will help students understand how to
work with an architect on future projects, or to learn about the complexities of building a house in the
 Part of the craft enrichment program involves ceramics classes located in Katherine Harper Hall. Photo by Anna Donlan
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High Country area, Everhart said.
Instructor of technology Garner L. Britt has taught classes for two years, and will teach the
“Introduction to Metalworking” enrichment class.
Britt said teaching has offered him the satisfaction of helping people learn new skills and sharing his
knowledge with others.
Mike C. Poorman, a junior industrial design major, will teach his first enrichment class this summer
titled “Dulcimer Construction.”
The idea to instruct this course came from Poorman’s desire to teach others about luthiery, or the
building of stringed instruments.
“The preparation of dulcimer kits has given me a greater appreciation for teaching,” Poorman said.
“Many members of my family are teachers, and they have to plan each day, and prepare lessons.
Making the kits for the students has illustrated the importance and responsibility a teacher must
possess, which until now hadn’t occurred to me.”
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