The Anchorage Museum Seed Lab in downtown Anchorage is committed to helping community members make flower pots out of recycled pallets, and this month's workshops are aimed at helping the community learn how to use the tools and create their own projects.
“This workshop is not only an opportunity to use tools to give back to the community and share resources, but also an opportunity to learn by doing,” said Rebecca Pottebaum, public programs and audience manager at the Anchorage Museum.
One volunteer agreed that the tool library is a great resource for the community.
“We have adults here who are learning how to use tools, and that's what this space is for — they come here to learn how to do things, they come here to play, they come back as kids even though they're adults,” explained Dan Donnelly, a volunteer with the Anchorage Museum Seed Lab.
Participants learned how to use tools safely and take pride in their pallets.
One way to make a garden planter from pallets is to use one of several tools including this drill that I have on hand.
Some people enjoy taking workshop classes and using the tools.
“But it was a lot of fun – taking the pallets apart and putting them back together,” Janie Odgers said.
“I absolutely love the power screwdriver. It's been amazing. I don't think I've ever felt such joy before,” Gail Ramsey said.
“I learned a lot about what I like and dislike about architecture, but it was a lot of fun,” Alyssa Henegar said.
The workshop also posed some challenges.
“It was hard work. It was hard trying to get the boards off the pallets without them cracking. That was the hard part,” Gail Ramsey said.
For more information on upcoming events at the Seed Lab, visit the Anchorage Museum website