Alumni
Craft Center Keepsakes
Hear from alumni who have held on to their handmade treasures they created at the ASI Craft Center long after graduation.
Compiled by Robyn Kontra Tanner
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A student shapes a bowl on a pottery wheel in the ASI Craft Center. Photo by Joe Johnston.
After Cal Poly Magazine’s article on the ASI Craft Center in our spring 2025 issue, we heard from several alumni who have held on to beloved keepsakes they made as students. Hear what makes their creations so special after all these years.
Jim Raney (Earth Science ’13, M.S. Engineering Science ’14)
Keepsake: surfboard
“When I signed up for a surfboard shaping class, my main goal was to produce a fast and sturdy ‘fish,’ a good shape to ride on a typical day in Morro Bay. But I remember the moment I first put the blank down on the shaping table. I felt this rush when it occurred to me that somewhere within that foam was the shape of any board I could dream of making. That’s when I realized that this class was less about the end product than the process it took to get there.
I remember the summer after I finished the board I took it with me to an internship at Swanton Pacific Ranch. I will never forget the waves I caught over those three short months. The board was far from professional quality; the rails were boxy and the bottom had almost no concave. That never mattered, though, as the satisfaction from knowing the board came from my own hands far outweighed the downsides.
I recommend the board shaping class to anyone who’s got a passion for surfing. I took it nearly 15 years ago, and I still use those skills when I’m shaping boards today. It’s given me a wonderful perspective for the look and feel of boards I come across and get the chance to ride.”
Jessica (Combs) Broemmelsiek (Animal Science ’13)
Keepsake: sterling silver wedding rings
“My husband, Chris, proposed to me on Jan. 1, 2013, and we both wanted to choose something special to do for our wedding rings. Both of us had some experience making jewelry, but it had been a long time since our high school jewelry class.
When I saw the signs all around campus about the Craft Center, I decided to stop by and inquire about us taking the jewelry class. We were very welcomed, even with modest skills, which allowed me to enjoy the experience start to finish.
Chris and I picked out an opal stone at a local gem show in Cayucos that spring and began making our rings. His was a simple, silver sterling band with a beveled edge. Mine had the opal and was a tapered band.
Getting back into the process of lost wax casting was so fun and well-organized. Both our rings were made of sterling silver. I believe we finished the rings in about six weeks.
The process of making our rings for each other felt very true to ourselves and kept with our spirit of always having fun together — and not subscribing to the belief that there’s only one way to show our commitment and celebration of love.
We have created a new tradition of changing the stone in my ring every few years when I see something that might catch my eye as we are out traveling or just visiting a shop. It keeps our ring adventure alive, romantic and fresh. I currently wear a ring with a larimar stone, one we picked out when traveling in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the wonderful people who keep the Craft Center alive and thriving. What an amazing thing that Cal Poly offers its students and fosters creativity.”
Matt Berger (Journalism ’98)
Keepsake: skateboard
“I have many fond memories of the Craft Center. I worked there for three years during college and was the manager for one year. I used to build skateboards at the Craft Center and sell them to kids on campus. I later wrote a how-to woodworking book called, ‘The Handmade Skateboard’ (Spring House Press, 2014) and featured one of those Craft Center boards on the cover. I also have a few other wooden boxes that I still have on display with other ephemera and several pottery items that I traded with other students for wooden objects like cutting boards and skateboards.”
Shaun Burns (Environmental Management and Protection ’15)
Keepsake: surfboard
“I’ve surfed my whole life, but that was the very first surfboard I’d ever shaped myself. It helped me learn more about my favorite hobby and, like my classes at Cal Poly, let me really dig deeper into learning. From user error, the board definitely didn’t come out the best, but it made me appreciate even more the surfboards I ride from other shapers.”
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