Need hope for the future? Check out these apprentices for the traditional home rebuilding program

It's become an unfortunate habit for some of us to rail against today's moment, to spread fear and depression. I won't have any of that. My days are filled with hope. As evidence, check out this wonderful group of young people who are enrolled in the traditional crafts training program offered by The Prince's Foundation and the Preservation Resource Center. If you want hope, you have to look for it. Look here.

2010 Apprentices

Timothy Adams – Timothy has a Master’s in Architecture from Tulane and has been working at Trappolin Architects prior to joining the program. He hopes that the knowledge he gains as a brick masonry apprentice will help to make him a better designer and builder. He believes that by preserving our historic structures, we enable future generations to understand what worked well in the past and set a foundation of living knowledge to build upon.

Mary Beth Alhart – Mary Beth comes to us from Rochester, NY. She is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology and has been working as a jewelry maker and artist. Through the Prince’s Rebuilding Communities Program, she believes she has found her calling as an artist able to assist in the rebirth of New Orleans. She joins the program as an iron work apprentice.

Michael Andrepont – After four years in the Air Force, Michael began building stages for Tulane’s theater department and performing with four different bands in New Orleans. He is inspired by Louisiana’s historic architecture and hopes to gain skills to properly renovate buildings in our city.

Wilbert Brass – Wilbert believes everyone should play a part in helping their cities grow to make way for future generations. He hopes to learn much more about his craft, mill-work, so that he may continue to grow in his career.

Kirk Brown – A life-long resident of New Orleans, Kirk joined the program so that he can become a Master Plasterer and pass his knowledge down to future generations.

Mallory Glueck – As an architecture student at Delgado, Mallory sees this opportunity as a chance to bridge the gap between what she’s learning in school and real world application. Mallory’s father owned a sheetrock company while she was growing up, giving her years of first-hand experience on construction sites. She sees New Orleans as a city with a rich cultural heritage that needs to be preserved for future generations.

Steve Grunewald – Steve came to our program from Rebuilding Together. As a volunteer, he came to New Orleans 2 ½ years ago and was hooked: he worked in the mill shop and as a construction manager with RT, gaining an appreciation for historic details in houses. As a millwork apprentice, Steve is looking forward to fabricating windows, doors and cabinets and milling flooring.

Vincent Mark – Vincent studied at Wayne State University and Wayne County Community College before joining the Louisiana Carpenter’s Union. After completing the Prince’s Rebuilding Communities Program, he hopes to one day start his own business.

Zina Mitchell – Zina has always wanted to be in the construction industry. She feels that preserving our building traditions is important because it helps us learn for the future. She has 13 grandchildren and hopes to be able to teach them more about the history of New Orleans through its architecture and culture.

 

Stevelend Nelson – Stevelend has experience working with wood, metals and stones. He recognizes the integrity of the craftsmanship in historic structures and believes that studying this is important in order to ensure that our buildings can withstand the test of time. 

Elliot Pellebon – Elliot grew up in Holy Cross, blocks away from many of the work-built sites included in the Prince’s Rebuilding Communities Program. He is inspired by his father, who worked hard to rebuild their family home after Katrina and is eager to part of the rebuilding effort in New Orleans.

Henry Pittman – Henry is entering the program as a masonry apprentice. He hopes to learn more about both his city and his craft. He loves working as a brick mason and looks forward to giving back to his city with knowledge gained in the program.

Ishmael Raoof – Ishmael is interested in all types of architecture and believes that it is very important to preserve original details in historic homes. As a rough carpentry apprentice, he looks forward to increasing his skills and learning more about other crafts. 

Christine Simpkin – Christine considers herself a very ‘hands-on’ person and hopes to become very familiar with historic building processes. She is also very excited to learn about the different styles of architecture found throughout New Orleans.

Chad Simpson – After graduating from Pratt in 2006 with a degree in Fine Art, Chad worked in Rochester, NY making jewelry and furniture. He came to the Gulf Coast this summer to help with the cleanup effort after the oil spill and felt inspired by the beauty produced by local artists and craftsman. He joins the program as a mill-work apprentice.

Sidney Trepagnier – Sidney joined the Prince’s Rebuilding Communities Program as an iron-work apprentice. He enjoys working with his hands and sees this program as an opportunity to do something different and find success in life.