Page 22 - CMA PROfiles Spring 2019

FEATURED SHOP: CK VALENTI DESIGNS

GIVING KIDS A CHANCE TO

“Break Out of the Box!”

Attracting the next generation to careers in woodworking and
cabinetmaking is a concern for just about everyone in the industry.
CK Valenti Designs decided they could either be frustrated with the
lack of available talent or they could do something about it. In 2017, the
company came up with the “Break Out of the Box” challenge, a hands-
on way to introduce middle-school students to the idea of designing,
engineering and creating something with their hands.
“We’re really passionate about making the creative trades a first-class
career option for today’s students,” says Chris Valenti. The company’s
“Break Out of the Box” challenge debuted in 2017, and, as word got out,
attendance increased for the 2018 challenge.
Here’s how it works: “We advertise in as many schools across the top three scores. “In 2018, we added a People's Choice award, so that all
Phoenix valley as will let us distribute the event information,” says the participants and their attending families could cast a vote for their
Valenti. “Our builders register online, and we hold a box pick up day favorite,” says Valenti. Prizes included an artist kit, tool set, Legos and an
so that everyone gets started at the same time. The company then architectural building model design tool.
provides middle school students (6th through 8th grades) with a box of The 2018 challenge finale took place on November 3, with 33 registered
miscellaneous items and rules of the contest and off they go to begin students participating and more than 100 attending on challenge day.
building!” (It’s not a kit designed to lead to a predetermined creation.)
“The diversity of creations really blew us away this year!” says Valenti.
Three weeks later, the students gather at the CK Valenti Designs
headquarters with their creations in hand to see what their fellow “Creations included a wave machine, smoothie shop, tow truck,
students have created, eat pizza and ice cream, tour the shop and tree house and many more. We are excited to see what next year’s
participate in fun activities with their families. The entire challenge, challenge brings!”
including judging day, is completely free of charge to the participants The Valentis and their team invite you to recreate their “Break Out
and their families. of the Box” challenge in your community and give kids a chance to

Volunteer judges from the industry (none from CK Valenti Designs) experience the satisfaction of engineering, designing and creating
evaluate the student creations and award prizes for different categories. something with their own hands! They would be happy to talk if anyone
This year, the four judges were a DIYer/maker, an artist, an architect and has questions or would like information on how to get their own
a museum exhibitions manager. challenge underway.
The judges evaluate creations based on complexity, creativity, To see photos from the 2017 and 2018 competitions, visit
craftsmanship and overall aesthetic. Prizes are awarded for the www.ckvalentidesigns.com and click on Events.

20 PROFILES SPRING 2019