The Port Townsend School of Woodworking honors Shelley Rust French as the 2015 Founders’ Award recipient at the annual Founders’ Breakfast, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 2, at the Fort Worden …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had an active account on our previous website, then you have an account here. Simply reset your password to regain access to your account.
If you did not have an account on our previous website, but are a current print subscriber, click here to set up your website account.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
* Having trouble? Call our circulation department at 360-385-2900, or email our support.
Please log in to continue |
|
Displaying ladders made in class at the Port Townsend School of Woodworking are (from left) Gary Harrison, Ahna Ortiz, Donna Westall, Shelley French, Gee Heckscher, Gail Scoggin, Donna Westall and (center front) Steve Habersetzer. Photo by Tim Lawson
The Port Townsend School of Woodworking honors Shelley Rust French as the 2015 Founders’ Award recipient at the annual Founders’ Breakfast, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 2, at the Fort Worden Chapel.
This free event is open to the public. RSVP by Friday, March 27 by calling 360-344-4455 or emailing
tim@ptwoodschool.org.
Shelley Rust French first observed the fine art of woodworking as her father skillfully coaxed his visions out of slabs of California redwood and cedar in the workshop adjacent to her childhood home.
“My father was an engineer and an inventor, so being able to watch him bring the images in his mind to life was truly inspiring. It helped me to feel closer to him and taught me an appreciation for discipline and craftsmanship,” she said.
French, 62, pursued a career in finance and nonprofit development, but those cherished memories remained an inspiration.
When she relocated to Jefferson County in 2008, and was introduced to the founding members of the Port Townsend School of Woodworking, she recognized their mutual passion for woodworking and preservation trades, and became the first chair of the school’s board of directors.
“Developing a strong, cohesive team that could think strategically about the school’s development and structure was my first goal, and with the help of the founders [Tim Lawson, John Marckworth and Jim Tolpin] we were able to assemble some truly gifted minds and talented individuals.”
French also played a major role in developing the school’s business structure and its transition from a business partnership to a fully-fledged 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
Founders Lawson, Marckworth and Tolpin observed that Shelly's professional and "den mother" skills contributed to creating a solid foundation on which a future could be built, and they are incredibly thankful for her support, hard work and belief in their vision.
In recognition of her contributions, French has been named the 2015 Founders’ Award recipient.
The Founders’ Award was established in 2012, and is given each year to an individual who has contributed significantly to the school’s growth and development. Prior recipients include Kate Burke; Charlie Moore and Kiwi Ferris; and Steve Habersetzer.
