Who knew, that carving wood, drawing, painting and making pottery and works of art could help you be a better person.
According to Sandra Class, Army Substance Abuse/Suicide program manager, the installation's Arts and Crafts Center is a perfect place to relieve stress and practice resiliency.
Aside from what they normally offer, the Arts and Crafts center is currently revamping a section of the center to offer customers opportunities to learn new crafts at a fraction of the price that's offered by surrounding communities.
"When I go over there I really unwind and re-energize myself," Class said.
"The Arts and Crafts center is great for stress management," Class said. She said being resilient goes in line with balancing your life's risk factors and protective factors. Risk factors are things in your life that are beyond your control and, more often than not, cause stress. Protective factors are things that you enjoy that allow you to be able to handle your risk factors and help keep you in the right state of mind.
"To me, the Arts and Crafts Center is my protective factor. Any class you can think of can be created when there is an audience. Why not use the resources that are available at White Sands," Class said.
A section of the center will be reserved for painting sessions. The sessions that will be offered include two forms of "Date night."
"We're creating more activities for the community. For such an isolated place this is something new that hasn't been done before. Change is good," said Al Fuller, Arts and Crafts manager.
One "Date night" that will be offered for adults is for them to enjoy a beginner's painting session, and another will be offered for parents to drop off their kids at the center where the kids can paint while parents have some time alone. Adult "Date night" sessions are currently being offered but more sessions will be offered when the new section opens up during the summertime. The "Date Night" sessions are $20 per individual.
"Prices are met to meet what the community can handle. We're significantly cheaper with plaques, and with our sessions," Fuller said.
The center also offers custom framing and matting, engraving for plaques and awards, custom woodworking and a full multi-crafts section and a woodshop for those who wish to work on their own crafts. These services are also offered at a significantly cheaper price than prices in town.
The next "Date Night" will take place on Feb. 21 for $20 per individual, for up to six individuals. Information on upcoming events can be found on their Facebook page "Arts and Crafts WSMR," and in the In Focus newsletter.
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