New Faces in the Woodworkers Guild

Learning by Doing
Submitted by Terry Hollenberg, Quincy Woodworkers Guild
​The Quincy Woodworkers Guild is more than just a gathering of people who love the smell of sawdust; it’s a place where skills are shared, creativity is encouraged and community is built one project at a time.

​This spring, our partnership with the Quincy Art Center introduced a Beginning Woodworking class, giving newcomers the chance to pick up tools and try their hands at the craft. Two of those students, Katie Ambler and Shari Robesky, discovered not only the joy of woodworking, but also the welcoming support of a creative community.
Katie, an attorney with a background in the arts, was drawn to the class after seeing it advertised by Quincy Art Center. With memories of helping her dad on projects and building railroad models as a child, she was ready to try woodworking on her own. 
Shari, who had already dabbled in making wooden gnomes, worktables and refinishing projects, saw the class as an opportunity to grow her skills.
Together, they built tool totes and footstools - projects simple in design but rich in meaning. Each cut, sand and joint was part of a journey that connected them to generations of craftsmanship and to the supportive community within the Guild.
Now members themselves, Katie and Shari are continuing to learn, share and explore alongside other woodworkers.
Their story is a reminder that collaboration doesn’t just happen at the professional or organizational level; it happens every time individuals come together to create, teach and inspire one another.