PALC to host special Open House June 19

The Pentwater Artisan Learning Center is an 11,000 sq. ft. workspace for metal and woodworking shops, as well as artistic spaces for painting, pottery, glass crafts, weaving, basket making, sewing and more. Members bring their own supplies and enjoy an environment in which to create, socialize, learn, and share knowledge.

The nonprofit’s mission is to “transfer knowledge from Artisans to other Artisans and to those with little experience who have the desire to learn new crafts. These groups can work at their specialties in a safe, clean, healthy environment; using safe, dependable equipment in a responsible manner. All of this will be accomplished through mentoring and partnership.” Membership is open to anyone and more information can be found at either pentwaterartisan.org or www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100086370397501.

Gene Davidson Memorial Fund

The late Gene Davidson co-founded the PALC with his wife, Barb. Every cent given in Gene’s memory went to a fund to honor his memory. A committee from the PALC board set up the Gene Davidson Engineering & Skilled Trades Scholarship in January at the Community Foundation for Oceana County. This fund will grow with future interested donors for its mission. Eligible students from Oceana County can apply for a scholarship through the foundation.

In March, PALC received the first applicant. A scholarship for $500 was awarded to Ali Townsend. She received her scholarship at the Hesperia High School award night May 16, 2023. Townsend will use the skilled trades scholarship to further her education in construction, with her sights set on owning her own business.

There will be a plaque in the PALC office honoring the scholarship recipients.

PALC Accomplishments

Members are busy preparing for the fall festival, September 23 and 24, 2023. Many new projects have been added to our roster. Pentwater Junior High and High School art students have been spending time with mentors at PALC. They use their talents to design and make wooden bowls, segmented wood serving trays, stained glass hearts, pottery, and others learned the art of acrylic painting. PALC volunteers have been designing poles for the pole vaulters at PHS. A project for the SBDC (Small Business Development Center) was granted to PALC. Eleven wood and glass awards were designed and completed at PALC. A perpetual award was designed in the shape of Michigan out of butternut wood and will pass from recipient to recipient for the next 20 years. What an honor to be awarded this job!

When visiting the PALC, you will see upgrades in equipment. An anonymous donor gave $10,000 for a new dust collector. The lighting has been updated with energy-saving bulbs. A huge thank you to our volunteers who managed and installed the dust system and lighting upgrades. These two changes are significant to the operation, cleanliness and safety of the PALC.

Securing the Future

As they assess the necessary ingredients for another successful 20 at the PALC, it is apparent that the number one opportunity that they as an organization face is aging equipment and tools. These assets, along with the wonderful members and volunteers that contribute so much to the organization, are the essential assets of PALC’s mission.

It is with this in mind that the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center is embarking on a capital campaign to replace and/or repair existing equipment and tools. It is critical that they continue to have current technology and safe equipment to conduct their mission for all to enjoy.

The PALC board has assessed the current inventory of tools and equipment and identified a very detailed replacement and repair strategy so that the next 20 years will be equipped with safe and productive artisan tools. An extensive inventory of their equipment assets, the life left to replace or repair, and the expected life have been assessed. Based on this data, the costs of repair or replacement, they have prepared a plan to ensure they can meet the financial needs to fund the PALC equipment for the future. As this is not an issue of replacing or repairing today, they know what to gradually replace as needed and not disrupt the ongoing operation of the excellent work of the PALC.

Jeff Elhart is PALC co-founder Barb Davidson’s son. He has wanted to give something special to PALC, not only to honor Barb and Gene, but to give the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center longevity for another 20 years. The PALC said they are honored to have Elhart join them in leading this cause in equipping the PALC for the next 20 years.

Members and those interested are invited to hear more about this important campaign to secure the future of the PALC for the next 20 years at a special open house set for Monday June 19 from 4-6 p.m. The open house will be at the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center, 780 Park St., in Pentwater.